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f  ^^^ot0^ml  Mmmm^,  | 


PRINCETON.   N.  j 


I 


i>  Part  of  the 

BV  2060  rS66'^1858^ 
Smyth,  Thomas,  1808-1873 
Obedience  the  life  of 
missions 


X 


OBEDIENCE 


THE 


LIFE    OF    MISSIONS. 


BY 
THOMAS  SMYTH,  D.D. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION. 
•  No.  821  Chestnut  Street. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1858, 

Bt  JAMES  DUNLAP,  Teeasueeb, 

In  the  Clerk's  OfiBce  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District 
of  PennsylTania. 


CONTENTS 


PAOS 

Preface 5 

The  Faith  which  is  the  Principle  of  Missions,  leads 
to  that  Obedience  -which  is  the  life  of  Mis- 
sions        9 

The  will  of  God 20 

God's   revealed  will   the   foundation   of  all  right 

Faith  and  Obedience 25 

God's  revealed  will  concerning  the  salvation  of  the 

heathen 30 

God  now  accomplishing  his  decree  in  two  superhu- 
man facts 37 

The  fulfilment  of  this  decree  and  of  God's  plan  in 

the  establishment  of  his  Church 51 

The  adaptation  of  the  Church  to  the  fulfilment  of 

God's  Decree 53 

What  the  Church  accomplished  of  old,  and  is  still 

able  to  perform 57 

Christ's  Mediatorial  work  expressly  designed  for 

accomplishing  God's  Decree 60 

The  will  of  God  is  the  foundation  of  our  knowledge 

of  God,  and  of  our  obedience  to  him 63 


4  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Obedience  to  this  decreed  will  of  God  the  evidence 

and  end  of  piety 67 

Opposition,    disobedience,    or  indifference  to   this 

will  of  God,  is  sin 73 

Our  obedience  or  disobedience  to  this  will  of  God 
to  save  the  heathen,  is  of  momentous  and 
perilous  consequence 75 

Most  dangerous  delusion.     Every  man  required  to 

obey 78 

Faith  in  God's  Will  to  convert  the  heathen  will  lead 
to  obedience.  Where  there  is  not  obedience, 
there  is  not  faith 80 

Difficulties  are  no  excuse  for  disobedience 84 

God's  decreed  will  makes  failure  impossible 87 

God's  plan  in  carrying  out  his  decree  not  man's 
plan,  but  the  best  plan,  as  it  makes  obedience 
depend  solely  on  God's  will 89 

All  kingdoms  and  events  subordinate  to  God's  will, 

decree,  and  Church 97 

The  sublimity  and  eternal  recompense  of  implicit 
faith  and  obedience  to  God's  will,  and  of 
labouring  for  missions  under  great  discourage- 
ments   106 

The  appeal — Africa — India — and  their  martyrs... .  114 

The  greatness  of  the  work  and  greatness  of  the 

power ...   140 

The  true  end  and  value  of  life 1 52 

The  field  of  the  world — A  Moravian   Missionary 

Hymn 161 

Note. — A  third  extraordinary  fact 164 


ll£J,"xUk 


The  following  argument  is  a  sequel  to  two 
that  have  preceded  it.  I.  "  How  is  the  World 
to  be  Converted?  or,  Christians  Christ's  Re- 
presentatives and  Agents  for  the  Conversion 
of  the  World."  II.  "Faith  the  Principle  of 
Missions," 

Like  them,  it  was  prepared  by  the  author 
as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Missions ;  read  in  substance  before  the  Synod 
of  South  Carolina;  and  by  it  ordered  for 
publication.  And  as  the  first  was  com- 
mended to  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  the 
second  was  also  published  by  it,  this  also  is 
issued  through  it,  that  the  voice  of  this 
southern  Synod  may  be  heard  and  find  an 


6  PREFACE. 

echo  in  the  hearts  of  dear  brethren  and 
sisters  in  the  Lord  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  and  all  the  tribes 
of  Israel  come  up  together  "to  the  help  of 
the  Lord,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against 
the  might  J." 

Exert  thy  power,  thy  rights  maintain, 
Insulted — everlasting  King! 
The  influence  of  thy  crown  increase, 
And  strangers  to  thy  footstool  bring. 

We  long  to  see  that  happy  time. 
That  dear,  expected,  blessed  day! 
When  countless  myriads  of  our  race 
The  second  Adam  shall  obey. 

The  prophecies  must  be  fulfilled, 
Though  earth  and  hell  should  dare  oppose; 
The  Stone  cut  from  the  mountain's  side. 
Though  unobserved,  to  empire  grows. 

Soon  shall  the  blended  Image  fall — 
Brass,  silver,  iron,  gold,  and  clay; 
And  superstition's  gloomy  reign 
To  light  and  liberty  give  way. 


PREFACE. 

In  one  sweet  symphony  of  praise, 
Gentile  and  Jew  shall  then  unite; 
And  Infidelity,  ashamed. 
Sink  in  the  abyss  of  endless  night. 

Soon  Afric's  long  benighted  sons 
Shall  join  with  Europe's  polished  race, 
To  celebrate,  in  different  tongues, 
The  glories  of  redeeming  grace. 

From  east  to  west,  from  north  to  south, 
Emmanuel's  kingdom  shall  extend ; 
And  every  man,  in  every  face. 
Shall  meet  a  brother  and  a  friend. 


obedience!Wiifeofiiissms. 


THE    FAITH    WHICH     IS     THE    PRINCIPLE    OF   MISSIONS, 
LEADS    TO    THAT    OBEDIENCE    WHICH    IS    THE    LIFE    OF 

MISSIONS. 

The  feeling  of  love  and  good-will  to  men, 
and  the  conscious  obligation  to  communicate 
to  tliem  whatever  benefits  we  enjoy — so  far 
as  our  opportunity  and  ability  permit — are 
collateral  and  coextensive.  Where  one  ex- 
ists, the  other  cannot  be  absent;  and  to 
whatever  extent  the  one  prevails,  the  other 
will  be  found  operative.  To  love  our  neigh- 
bour as  we  love  ourselves — the  second  of 
God's  two  comprehensive  commandments — is 
to  do  unto  others  as  we  would  think  it  right 
and  humane  in  others,  if  in  our  circum- 
stances, to  do  unto  us. 

The  faithful  and  even  proportionate  appli- 
cation of  this  principle  to  the  gospel,  and  to 
2 


10 


its  manifold  blessings,  is  however  only  possi- 
ble to  those  who  cherish  a  deep  and  life- 
inspiring  faith  in  that  gospel,  as  "the  power 
of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  unto  the  sal- 
vation of  every  one  that  believeth."  Faith, 
therefore,  is  the  Principle  of  Missions;"^ 
faith  in  the  sinful,  guilty,,  and  dangerous 
condition  of  the  heathen ;  faith  in  the  gospel 
as  that  remedy,  by  the  foolishness  of  preach- 
ing which,  it  hath  pleased  God  to  save  them 
that  believe;  and  faith  in  those  awe-inspiring 
declarations  of  God's  word,  that  the  whole 
world  are  guilty  before  him; — that  without 
a  written  law,  the  heathen  are  a  law  unto 
themselves,  their  own  consciences  accusing 
or  condemning  them; — that  there  is  no  other 
name  under  heaven  by  which  they  can  be 
saved  but  the  name  of  Jesus;" — "go  ye 
therefore  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that  believeth 
and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved;  but  he  that 
believeth  not,  shall  be  damned." 

Faith  in  these  truths  is  the  principle  of 
missions,  as  a  Christian  duty,  although  there 

*  See  *' Faith,  the  Principle  of  Missions,"  published 
by  the  Board. 


OF  MISSIONS.  11 

are  many  other  motives  whicli  conspire  in 
urging  upon  every  humane  and  philanthropic 
mind  an  enterprise  designed  to  convey  to 
semi-civilized  and  barbarous  nations  that 
gospel  which  is  not  only  in  itself  considered 
the  greatest  of  all  earthly  blessings,  but  is 
also  the  source  and  the  security  of  all  perfect 
civilization,  refinement  and  progress. 

When  royal  Truth,  released  from  mortal  throes, 
Burst  his  brief  slumber,  and  triumphant  rose, 
111  had  the  holiest  sued 
A  patron  multitude, 
Or  courted  Tetrarch's  eye,  or  claimed  to  rule 
By  the  world's  winning  grace,  or  proofs  from  learned 
school. 

But,  robing  him  in  viewless  air,  he  told 
His  secret  to  a  few  of  meanest  mould; 
They  in  their  turn  imparted 
The  gift  to  men  pure-hearted, 
While  the  brute  many  heard  his  mysteries  high. 
As  some  strange,  fearful  tongue,  and  crouched,  they 
knew  not  why. 

Still  is  the  might  of  Truth,  as  it  has  been. 
Lodged  in  the  few,  obeyed,  and  yet  unseen: 
Reared  on  lone  heights,  and  rare. 
His  saints  their  watch-flame  bear. 
And  the  mad  world  sees  the  wide-circling  blaze, 
Vain-searching  whence  it  streams,  and  how  to  quench 
its  rays. 


12  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

And  as  it  is  faith  in  these  evangelical,  or 
gospel  truths,  which  alone  constitutes  the 
principle  of  Christian  missions,  so  also  is  it 
found  to  be  true,  that  no  other  motive  or 
principle  will  impel  to  that  obedience  which 
is  the  life  of  Christian  missions.  It  is  just 
as  certain  that  he  who  does  not  believe  the 
gospel,  will  not  incur  the  self-denial  and  self- 
sacrifice  necessary  to  preach  that  gospel  to 
every  creature,  as  that  he  will  not  be  himself 
saved  by  it.  Faith  is,  by  its  very  nature,  an 
operative  principle.  It  brings  into  action 
not  only  every  element  of  thought,  but  also 
every  impulse  to  action.  It  fills  the  sails  of 
the  ship  which  the  divine  builder  has  man- 
ned, equipped,  and  made  ready  for  sea.  It 
supplies  steam  to  the  machinery  of  our  moral 
nature.  It  projects  the  mind  forward  in  the 
orbit  of  duty.  It  works  by  love,  both  to  God 
and  to  man. 

Like  clouds  they  are  borne 

To  do  thy  great  will, 
And  swift  as  the  winds 

Around  the  world  go: 
All  full  of  thy  Godhead, 

While  earth  lieth  still, 


OF   MISSIONS.  13 

They  thunder,  they  lighten, 
The  -waters  o'erflow. 

They  thunder — their  sound, 

It  is  Christ  the  Lord ! 
Then  Satan  doth  fear. 

His  citadels  fall, 
As  when  the  dread  trumpets 

Went  forth  at  thy  word, 
And  on  the  ground  lieth 

The  Canaanites'  wall. 

0,  loud  be  thy  trump, 

And  stirring  the  sound, 
To  rouse  us,  0  Lord, 

From  sin's  deadly  sleep; 
May  lights  which  thou  kindlest 

In  darkness  around. 
Our  dull  souls  awaken 

Their  vigils  to  keep. 

But  to  be  thus  energetic,  faith  must  be 
pure.  Faith  must  be  evangelistic,  in  order 
to  be  evangelical.  In  order  to  secure  pa- 
tience, perseverance,  and  heartfelt  obedience, 
there  must  be  faith  in  the  remedy,  as  well  as 
in  the  disease;  faith  in  the  physician,  as 
well  as  in  the  remedy;  faith  in  the  height 
of  the  mercy,  as  well  as  in  the  depth  of  the 
misery.  These  constitute  the  only  power 
2* 


14  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

that  can  undertake  and  consummate  Chris- 
tian missions.  It  is  the  combination  of  these 
spiritual  forces  into  one,  that  gives  to  the 
faith  of  the  gospel  its  efficiency,  supplying  it 
"with  its  fulcrum,  its  lever,  and  its  motive 
power,  and  thus  making  it  mighty,  through 
God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strongholds 
of  sin  and  Satan. 

The  recognized  depravity  of  the  heathen 
will  not  inspire  self-denying  efforts  to  save 
them.  The  depravity  of  the  heathen  was 
never  more  deeply  felt  than  by  the  wise  and 
virtuous  among  themselves.  But  philosophy, 
wanting  the  gospel,  was  equally  powerless  in 
motive  and  in  means,  and  abandoned  itself 
to  despair  and  scepticism.  And  as  it  has 
ever  been  thus  among  the  philosophers  and 
philanthropists  of  former  ages,  so  is  it  now. 
The  Abb^  Dubois,  the  celebrated  Roman 
Catholic  missionary,  was  so  overwhelmed 
with  the  contemplation  of  the  deep  malignity 
of  heathen  character  among  the  Hindoos,  as 
to  come  to  the  conclusion  that  his  mission 
was  useless,  and  that  the  Hindoos  were  pre- 
destined to  eternal  damnation.    Mohammed- 


OP  MISSIONS.  15 

anism  has  sought  only  empire  and  subju- 
gation by  the  sword.  Popery  has  never 
stimulated  to  any  efforts  beyond  those  of 
proselytism,  propagandism,  and  mercenary 
thraldom;  and  has  never  yet  permanently 
christianized  a  heathen  nation.  She  preys 
upon  living  Christianity,  and  sustains  her 
own  life  only  by  blood  drawn  from  its  veins. 
Unitarianism  was  some  years  since  galva- 
nized into  a  spasmodic  effort,  and  enterprised 
a  mission  at  Calcutta,  aided  by  the  learned, 
high-caste  Brahmin,  E-ammohun  Roy ;  but  it 
soon  relapsed  again  into  its  spiritual  death. 
The  combined  zeal  and  resources  of  the 
entire  Unitarian  denomination  in  the  United 
States,  provoked  into  activity  by  the  activity 
of  all  around  them,  have  again  sent  one  mis- 
sionary to  Calcutta,  among  people  whom  they 
had  always  represented  as  having  Unitarian 
sympathies,  virtuous  tendencies,  and  simple- 
hearted  errors.  But  how  fearful  is  the  con- 
trasted picture,  as  given  by  themselves,  of 
what  living  Hindooism  is  found  to  be !  "  Could 
you   stand,"  says  Mr.  Dall,  their   mission- 


1&  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

ary,*  "in  the  midst  of  the  heathen,  and 
realize  their  utter  destitution  of  that  spi- 
ritual life  which  alone  can  fit  a  soul  for  the 
company  of  angels,  of  Jesus,  and  of  God, 
you  would  not  say  that  to  talk  of  their  agony 
in  this  world  and  the  next  was  ad  captandum, 
ox  very  wicked  language;  or  that  it  'made 
God  a  destroyer  of  the  guiltless,'  or  'no  God 
of  justice,  far  less  a  God  of  love!'"t  And 
yet  with  all  his  faith  in  this  awful  truth,  which 
the  gospel  necessarily  implies,  but  which  is 
not  itself  the  gospel,  Mr.  Dall  has  only  suc- 
ceeded in  gathering  some  thirty  or  forty 
persons — natives  and  half-caste — besides  cir- 
culating many  Unitarian  books.J 

*  Quarterly  Journal  of  the  American  Unitarian  Asso- 
ciation, July,  1857. 

f  He  thus  gives  a  withering  rebuke  to  the  infidel 
pity  of  a  whining  writer  in  a  Quarterly  Review. 

I  At  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  this  body,  the  Sec- 
retary read  a  paper  in  reference  to  the  missions  of  the 
body,  from  which  it  appears  they  have  one  foreign  and 
and  one  domestic  missionary,  at  an  expense  of  twenty- 
two  hundred  dollars.  The  paper  read  says:  "There 
are  some  great  discouragements  in  our  attempts  at  pro- 
gress. In  the  first  place,  the  Association  never  has 
had,  through  the  whole  thirty  years  of  its  history,  the 


OF  MISSIONS.  17 

The  conclusion,  therefore,  which  is  equally 
sustained  by  history,  by  experience,  and  by 
the  word  of  God,  is,  that  it  is  only  faith  in 
the  gospel,  in  the  whole  gospel,  and  in 
nothing  but  the  gospel,  which  is  the  principle 
of  Christian  missions.  Nothing  short  of  this 
faith  can  inspire  their  conception.  Nothing 
less  than  this  can  impart  to  them  vigorous 
life.  Nothing,  neither  more  or  less,  can 
quicken  and  sustain  that  spirit  of  implicit, 
persevering,  self-sacrificing  obedience,  which 
is  absolutely  essential  to  secure  the  prosecu- 
tion, progress,  and  permanence  of  Christian 
missions. 

Dull  thunders  moan  around  the  temple  rock, 

And  deep  in  hollow  caves,  far  underneath, 

The  lonely  watchman  feels  the  sullen  shock, 

His  footsteps  timing  as  the  low  winds  breathe : 
Hark!  from  the  shrine  is  asked,  What  steadfast  heart 
Dares  in  the  storm  go  forth?  Who  takes  the  Almighty's 
,*     -.      part?      '  . 
*  And  with  a  bold  gleam  flushed,  full  many  a  brow 
•^*-^s Raised  to  say,  "Behold  me,  Lord,  and  send." 

unanimous  approval  of  our  denomination.  In  the  next 
place,  it  is  peculiarly  unfortunate  that  a  number  of  our 
leading  ministers  are  totally  indifferent  to  the  Associa- 
tion. But  the  grand  obstacle  that  weighs  heavier  than 
all,  is  our  general  indifference  to  associated  action." 


18 

*' Without  reasoning  on  the  subject,  no  un- 
prejudiced inquirer  can  deny,  that  from 
whatever  cause,  it  is  emphatically  the  cross 
of  Christ  which  has  acted  as  a  mighty  spi- 
ritual force  upon  the  soul  of  the  world. 
Hardly  less  undeniable  is  it  that  the  cross 
has  thus  acted,  because  it  contains  the  most 
touching  expression  of  love  and  mercy,  while 
at  the  same  time  it  offers  the  highest  evidence 
of  the  invincible  moral  power  of  the  Re- 
deemer. As  a  simple  matter-of-fact,  it  is 
the  doctrine  of  crucified  love  that  has  tri- 
umphed over  man,  that  has  been  almighty 
through  God,  that  has  arrested,  captivated, 
regenerated  human  hearts.  Wherever  the 
cross  has  been  wanting,  Christianity  has 
appeared  shorn  of  its  strength — an  ineffec- 
tive, lifeless,  cold  system.  But  wherever  the 
cross  has  been  lifted  up,  even  though  asso- 
ciated with  egregious  human  weakness,  and 
with  serious  human  errors,  it  has  proved  an 
all  but  resistless  power  in  compelling  to  an 
almost  superhuman  devotion — to  the  living 
sacrifice  of  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  as  a  rea- 
sonable service  in  obedience  to  such  a  faith." 


OF   MISSIONS,  19 

Runs  not  the  word  of  truth  through  every  land, 
A  sword  to  sever,  and  a  fire  to  burn? 

If  blessed  Paul  had  stayed 

In  cot  or  learned  shade, 

With  the  priest's  white  attire, 

And  the  saints'  tuneful  choir, 
Men  had  not  gnashed  their  teeth,  nor  risen  to  slay, 
But  thou  hadst  been  a  heathen  in  thy  day. 

To  analyze  and  enforce  obedience  as  the 
life  of  Christian  missions^  will  therefore  be 
the  object  of  the  present  argument. 

0  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing 

My  dear  Redeemer's  praise  ; 
The  glories  of  my  God  and  King, 

The  triumphs  of  his  grace ! 

My  gracious  Master,  and  my  God, 

Assist  me  to  proclaim, 
To  spread  through  all  the  earth  abroad, 

The  honours  of  thy  name. 

Jesus,  the  name  that  calms  our  fears. 

That  bids  our  sorrows  cease ; 
'T  is  music  in  the  sinner's  ears, 

'T  is  life,  and  health,  and  peace. 

Let  us  obey,  we  then  shall  know. 

Shall  feel  our  sins  forgiven; 
Anticipate  our  heaven  below, 

And  own  that  love  is  heaven. 


20  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

THE   WILL  'jOF    GOD. 

The  belief  in  a  God  of  infinite  wisdom,  good- 
ness, and  truth,  involves  the  necessary  conclu- 
sion that  all  truth,  virtue,  and  happiness,  must 
find  in  his  nature  their  source,  their  founda- 
tion, and  their  standard.  But  as  the  nature 
of  God  can  be  made  known  to  us  only  by  the 
revelation  of  his  loill  in  his  works  and  word, 
it  follows  that  the  revealed  will  of  God  is, 
practically,  the  only  rule  by  which  we  can 
infallibly  ascertain  what  is  truth,  what  is 
virtue,  and  what  is  happiness ;  the  only  stan- 
dard to  which  all  the  controversies  of  limited, 
imperfect,  misguided  reason  must  be  brought; 
the  only  power  by  which  all  spiritual  motion, 
energy,  and  success  can  be  imparted;  and 
the  only  centre  of  spiritual  cohesion  and 
attraction,  by  which  all  the  movements  of  all 
the  agencies  of  all  his  creatures  are  over- 
ruled, and  made  to  work  together  for  the 
furtherance  of  God's  glorious  designs. 

As  God's  will — the  term  being  used  as  ex- 
pressing to  us  God's  infinite  wisdom,  power, 
and  holiness,  acting  according  to  his  sove- 
reign purposes — is  the  ultimate  cause  of  all 


OF   MISSIONS.  21 

causes  and  of  all  effects,  of  all  laws  and  of 
all  power,  it  is  very  evident  that  this  will  of 
God,  though  to  him  one  and  the  same,  must 
be  regarded  by  us  in  a  two-fold  aspect,  that 
is,  as  secret  and  revealed. 

As  secret,  the  will  of  God  is,  like  him- 
self, infinite,  eternal,  all-comprehending,  and, 
therefore,  known  only  to  himself,  and  justi- 
fied, on  grounds  of  reason  and  choice,  only 
to  himself.  Extending  as  it  does  to  all 
,events,  past,  present,  and  future,  and  to  the 
consummated  results  of  all  events,  the  will 
of  God  implies  knowledge  too  wonderful  for 
any  finite  understanding;  deep  things,  un- 
fathomable by  any  human  reason ;  and  things 
so  high  and  unsearchable  as  to  be  even  com- 
prehensible only  by  the  infinite  Supreme,  the 
Pather,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

Great  God !  how  infinite  art  thou ! 

What  worthless  worms  are  we ! 
Let  the  whole  race  of  creatures  bow, 

And  pay  their  praise  to  thee. 

Thy  throne  eternal  ages  stood, 

Ere  seas  or  stars  were  made: 
Thou  art  the  ever-living  God, 

Were  all  the  nations  dead. 

3 


22  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

Nature  and  time  quite  naked  lie, 

To  thine  immense  survey — 
From  the  formation  of  the  sky, 

To  the  great,  burning  day. 

Eternity,  with  all  its  years. 

Stands  present  in  thy  view; 
To  thee  there's  nothing  old  appears — 

Great  God!  there's  nothing  new. 

Our  lives  through  various  scenes  are  drawn, 

And  vex'd  with  trifling  cares; 
While  thine  eternal  thoughts  move  on 

Thine  undisturbed  affairs. 

This  being  a  universal  and  absolute  truth, 
it  is  just  as  true  of  any  one  event  in  the 
succession  of  events,  as  it  is  of  all  events 
regarded  as  a  whole.  It  is  also  as  fully  true 
of  any  particular  scheme  or  course  of  divine 
providence,  as  it  is  of  that  universal  scheme, 
of  which  each  particular  scheme  is  a  link,  an 
epoch,  an  event,  a  scene,  a  single  act.  The 
incomprehensibility  of  God's  will  is,  there- 
fore, just  as  true  (but  not  more  so)  of  the 
scheme  of  God's  moral  government  over  man 
in  this  world — of  his  permitted  trial,  tempt- 
ation, and  apostasy — and  of  the  plan  and  his- 
tory of  redemption — as  it  is  of  God's  moral 


OF   MISSIONS.  23 

gjDvernment  over  other  worlds,  and  other 
intelligent  races  of  beings.  It  is,  in  all 
cases,  past  our  finding  out,  and  beyond  the 
range  even  of  angelic  scrutiny. 

The  gospel,  considered  as  including  the 
scheme  and  the  whole  administration  of  sal- 
vation, in  all  its  dispensations,  through  all 
periods  of  time,  and  under  all  the  changing 
vicissitudes  of  human  society — though  only 
one  act  in  the  endless  drama  of  the  divine 
government,  is,  nevertheless,  in  itself  con- 
sidered, a  scheme  of  boundless  extent.  It 
comprehends  a  past,  present,  and  future, 
which  is  to  man  illimitable.  It  extends  be- 
yond man  and  man's  world,  to  other  beings, 
and  to  other  worlds,  in  ways  and  measures 
which  we  can  neither  conceive  nor  compre- 
hend. Even  this  scheme  of  salvation,  there- 
fore, is  one  of  which,  before  its  revelation, 
we  could  have  known  absolutely  nothing;  of 
which  we  can  know,  even  now,  absolutely 
nothing — beyond  what  is  revealed;  of  which 
we  can  witness  only  a  single  manifestation, 
as  it  passes  before  us  in  the  great  panoramic 
revolution  of  time;   and  which  is  revealed 


24 


and  exhibited  to  men  only  so  far  as  is  neces- 
sary to  guide  the  wayfaring  traveller  safely 
on  the  highway  of  salvation,  through  the 
•wilderness  of  sin  and  guilt.  And  hence,  all 
objections  against  this  scheme  of  salvation, 
and  against  the  method  in  which  it  is  car- 
ried on,  must,  from  the  very  nature  of  the 
case,  be  founded  in  ignorance;  must  be 
maintained  without  any  proper  ground  for 
forming  an  opinion;  and  must  therefore 
imply  presumptuous  impiety  and  wicked  ab- 
surdity. "Secret  things  belong  unto  the 
Lord,"  by  whom  alone  the  issues  of  any  one 
event  are  either  known,  or  capable  of  direc- 
tion and  control. 

How  thankful,  then,  should  we  be,  that 
while  the  will  of  God  is  known  perfectly 
only  to  himself,  and  is  capable  of  being 
made  known  in  any  measure  only  by  him- 
self, God  has,  nevertheless,  in  infinite  con- 
descension and  mercy,  revealed  his  will,  so 
far  as  is  profitable  for  instruction,  for  re- 
proof, for  correction,  for  thoroughly  furnish- 
ing unto  every  good  word  and  work,  and  for 
attaining  to  everlasting  life ! 


OF  MISSIONS.  25 

This  revealed  will  of  God  comprehends  all 
"we  know  of  God,  whether  our  knowledge  is 
derived  from  the  works  of  nature;  from  the 
ways  of  providence;  from  the  nature  and 
constitution  of  the  human  mind,  of  human 
governments,  and  of  human  society;  or 
whether  it  is  derived  from  God's  word  and 
Spirit,  from  prophecies,  promises,  and  spiri- 
tual experience. 

god's  revealed  will  the  foundation  of  all 
right  faith  and  obedience. 

This  revelation  of  God's  will — this  actual 
and  certain  knowledge  of  what  God  is,  in  his 
nature,  attributes,  and  offices;  this  heaven- 
imparted  discovery  of  God's  purposes  and 
plans  towards  man;  of  his  desires  and  de- 
signs in  the  gospel;  and  of  his  mode  of  pro- 
claiming and  of  administering  his  spiritual 
kingdom  upon  earth — this  will  of  G-od  is,  we 
say,  the  foundation  of  our  faith.  It  is  on 
this  will  faith  builds,  as  on  the  rock  of  ages. 
It  is  on  this  will  faith  rests,  as  its  evidence 
and  authority.  And  it  is  to  this  will  of  God 
faith  looks,  for  all  the  certainty,  the  power, 
3* 


26  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

and  the    instrumentality   of   its  victorious 
triumph. 

By  his  word,  and  by  his  hour, 
AVhen  the  promise  came  with  power, — 
By  his  Holy  Spirit's  token, — 
By  his  covenant  unbroken, 
Strengthening,  while  the  world  lasts  on 
From  his  cross  unto  his  throne, 
Till  the  glorious  work  is  done, 
Know  that  God's  own  might  is  yours, 
And  yours  the  righteous  crown. 

But  this  revealed  knowledge  of  God  is 
also  the  source  of  all  our  moral  obligations. 
It  makes  known  the  relations  in  which  God 
stands  to  us,  and  in  which  we  stand  to  God, 
and  in  which,  as  they  are  also  related  to 
God,  we  stand  to  our  fellow- creatures.  The 
Triune  God  having  revealed  himself  as  a 
merciful  Father,  loving  the  whole  world  of 
human  beings,  even  considered  as  sinful, 
guilty,  and  miserable;  and  having  further 
revealed  himself  in  Christ,  his  Son,  as  our 
Saviour,  manifested  for  the  reconciliation  of 
the  world  unto  himself;  and  having  revealed 
himself  still  further  in  the  person  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  as  convincing  the  world  of  sin, 


OF  MISSIONS.  27 

of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment,  and  in 
this  way  converting,  regenerating,  and  sanc- 
tifying the  souls  of  men;  and  God  having 
also  revealed  that  this  scheme  of  divine 
mercy  is  to  be  carried  on  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  redeemed  men,  and  the  ordinary 
agencies  of  human  power  and  influence; — 
these  things  being  revealed  and  made  known, 
it  becomes  at  once  the  duty  of  every  man  to 
believe  them,  and  to  act  in  accordance  with 
them.  They  originate  not  only  faith,  but 
also  works.  They  constitute  relations  and 
obligations  between  us  and  God,  and  between 
us  and  men.  They  demand  the  obedience 
of  faith,  and  the  obedience  of  practice. 
They  require  doing  as  well  as  believing. 
They  make  service  just  as  reasonable  as 
hearing;  sacrifice  just  as  necessary  as  ser- 
vice; self-denial  just  as  imperative  as  reve- 
rence; and  laborious  exertion  just  as  plainly 
obligatory  as  implicit  submission.  The  re- 
vealed knowledge  of  God  and  of  his  will 
creates,  therefore,  practical  principles  as 
certainly  as  abstract  truths;  duties  as  well 


28  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

as   dogmas;    and  a  life   and  occupation  as 
assuredly  as  a  creed. 

Faith,  miglity  faith,  the  promise  sees, 

Relies  on  that  alone ; 
Laughs  at  impossibilities, 

And  says,  *'It  shall  be  done." 

Faith  lends  her  realizing  light. 

The  clouds  disperse,  the  shado\7S  fly; 

The  invisible  appears  in  sight, 
And  God  is  seen  by  mortal  eye. 

As  faith,  therefore,  is  the  principle  of 
Christian  missions,  so  obedience  is  their  life. 
Faith  is  God's  truth  believed;  obedience  is 
God's  truth  acted  upon.  Faith  receives  the 
knowledge  of  God's  will;  obedience  applies 
it  to  its  legitimate  purposes.  Faith  trusts; 
obedience  ventures.  Faith  loves;  obedience 
works.  Faith  says,  "It  ought  to  be  done;" 
obedience  says,  "It  shall  be  done."  Faith 
acknowledges  the  command  of  our  Father, 
to  "^o;"  obedience  goes  and  works.  Faith 
looks  to  the  promise,  to  the  prospect,  and  to 
the  ultimate  success;  obedience  looks  to  the 
field,  to  the  harvest,  and  to  the  wheat  perish- 
ing for  want  of  labourers,  and  thrusting  in 
its  sickle,  in  the   sweat  of  the  brow,  toils 


OF   MISSIONS.  29 

until  the  clay  is  over,  and  the  night  has 
come,  when  it  can  no  longer  work.  Faith 
points  to  life  and  to  the  world  as  a  state  of 
probation,  preparation,  and  discipline,  and 
to  heaven  as  a  place  of  rest,  recompense, 
and  glory;  obedience  accepts  the  trust, 
acquiesces  in  the  trial  of  its  faith,  and  gives 
all  diligence  to  make  our  calling  and  election 
sure,  by  working  out  our  own  salvation,  and 
the  salvation  of  others,  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling. In  all  times  of  need ;  in  every  uncer- 
tainty; amid  perplexity  and  doubt;  when 
surrounded  by  clouds  and  darkness;  when 
tossed  by  whirlwinds,  and  amid  engulfing 
seas,  faith  looks  to  this  will  of  God  as  her 
anchor,  her  hope,  and  her  compass,  while 
obedience  stands  at  the  helm,  and  steers 
right  onward,  bating  neither  heart  nor  hope. 

Christ's  church  her  ample  bosom  may  expand, 

Again  contract — may  open  far  and  wide 

Her  tent,  extend  her  cords,  on  either  hand 

Break  forth,  again  into  herself  subside; 

Alike  "with  her  Faith's  oracles  abide, 

Revered  by  fickle  worshipper  or  spurned. 

Oft  faint,  ne'er  lost,  the  lamp  by  heaven  supplied, 


80  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Oft  dimmed  by  envious  mists,  ne'er  uudiscerned, 
God's  witness,  tlirough   all  time,  hath  in   his  temple 
burned. 

0,  holy  Truth,  whene'er  Christ's  voice  is  heard, 

A  thousand  echoes  answer  to  the  call; 

Though  oft  inaudible  his  gentle  word, 

While  we  regard  not.     Take  me  from  the  thrall 

Of  passionate  hopes,  be  thou  my  all  in  all; 

So  may  obedience  lead  me  by  the  hand 

Into  thine  inner  shrine  and  secret  hall. 

Thence  hath  thy  voice  gone  forth  o'er  sea  and  land, 

And  all  that  will  may  hear,  but  none  can  understand, 

Save  the  obedient.     From  both  fear  and  doubt, 
Affections  vile,  low  cares,  and  worldly  blight, 
And  controversial  leanings  and  debate, 
Save  me !     From  earthly  film  my  mental  sight 
Purge  thou.     Make  my  whole  body  full  of  light. 
So  may  my  eyes  from  all  things  truth  convey. 
My  ears  thy  providential  lessons  read  aright, 
My  dull  heart  understand,  and  I  obey. 
Following  where'er  thy  cloud  hath  marked  the  forward 
way. 

god's  revealed  will  concerning  the  salvation 
or  THE  heathen. 

As  it  regards  the  subject  of  Christian 
missions  to  the  heathen,  God  has  revealed 
his  will  with  a  clearness,  frequency,  and 
emphatic  earnestness,  which  leave  no  room 


OF   MISSIONS.  81 

for  ambiguity  or  indecision.  Take,  for  in- 
stance, the  second  Psalm — a  psalm  inspired 
a  thousand  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ, 
to  be  sung  with  exultation  in  the  temple;  to 
be  adopted  by  God's  believing  people  in  all 
ages,  to  the  end  of  time,  as  the  joyful  ex- 
pression of  their  faith,  hope,  and  confident 
expectation ;  which  has  thus  for  three  thou- 
sand years  been  the  strong  tower  to  which, 
in  every  emergency,  the  beleaguered  host  of 
Zion  has  fled;  and  which,  in  their  hours  of 
battle  and  of  persecution,  has  constituted 
their  rallying  cry,  and  their  shout  of  triumph, 
and  their  victorious  banner. 

"Yet  have  I  set  my  King,  [the  Anointed, 
the  Messiah,]  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion.  I 
will  declare  the  decree:  Jehovah  hath  said 
unto  me,  [the  Anointed,]  Thou  art  my  Son ; 
this  day  have  I  begotten  thee.  Ask  of  me, 
[as  thou  sittest  at  my  right  hand,  fulfilling 
thy  mediatorial  work,]  and  I  shall  give  thee 
the  heathen  for  thine  inheritance,  and  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  thy  posses- 
sion. [New  Test.:  ^He  shall  reign  for  ever 
and  ever,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.' 


32  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Rev.  xi.  15 ;  xix.  16.]  Thou  shalt  break  them 
with  a  rod  of  iron ;  thou  shalt  dash  them  in 
pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel.  [New  Test. : 
'He  must  reign  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies 
under  his  feet.'  1  Cor.  xv.  25.]  Be  wise 
now,  therefore,  0  ye  kings;  be  instructed, 
ye  judges  of  the  earth.  Serve  Jehovah  with 
fear,  and  rejoice  with  trembling.  Kiss  the 
Son,  [New  Test.:  *Come  unto  me,  all  ye 
that  labour  and  are  heavy-laden.'  Matt.  xi. 
28,]  lest  he  be  angry,  and  ye  perish  from 
the  way,  when  his  wrath  is  kindled  but  a 
little.  [New  Test.;  'For  our  God  is  a  con- 
suming fire.'  Tall  on  us,  and  hide  us  from 
the  face  of  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
and  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb.'  Heb.  xii. 
29;  Rev.  vi.  16.]  Blessed  are  all  they  that 
put  their  trust  in  him.  [New  Test. :  'Who- 
soever believeth  in  him  shall  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life.'  John  iii.  16.]" 

Here  then  we  have,  in  very  plain,  peremp- 
tory, and  authoritative  language,  the  will, 
the  decree,  of  the  Father — written  in  the 
volume  of  the  Book  of  his  everlasting  pur- 
poses,   and    emphatically   announced  in  a 


OF   MISSIONS.  33 

psalm  appointed  for  daily  use  in  Zion,  and 
burning,  as  it  has  been  eloquently  said, 
"with  seraphic  fire;  filled  with  high  themes 
which  never  entered  man's  heart;  a  sum- 
mary of  truths  high  as  heaven,  and  deep  as 
hell,  before  which  every  one  who  understands 
them  trembles ;  announcing  a  plan  of  salva- 
tion devised  in  God's  eternal  counsels,  and 
which  it  emptied  heaven  to  execute;  and 
condensing  a  history  of  all  future  ages  as 
present  to  the  omniscient  mind,  for  the 
guidance  of  his  obedient  children." 

Here  also  we  have  unrolled  for  our  peru- 
sal that  will  of  God  which  Christ  the  Son 
came  into  this  our  accursed  world  "to  do," 
and  which  he  ever  lives  at  God's  right  hand 
to  execute.  Here  is  that  will  of  God  which 
Christ  authoritatively  enforced  in  his  com- 
mission to  his  church — when  on  the  mount 
of  ascension  he  spake  unto  it,  and  said,  "Go 
ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature;"  which  he  embodied  in 
the  short  and  simple  form  of  prayer  delivered 
by  him  as  the  comprehensive  summary  of 
all  Christian  obligation  and  blessing ;  which 
4 


34 


Christ  has  made  the  ground  and  Hmlt  of  his 
presence  and  blessing  to  the  end  of  the 
world;  and  which  is  given  also  as  the  mea- 
sure of  this  world's  duration,  seeing  that 
when  the  gospel  shall  have  been  preached 
among  all  nations,  as  a  witness  to  the  people, 
then  shall  the  end  come.  This,  in  short,  is 
the  "promise  of  the  Father,"  which  the  dis- 
ciples heard  from  Christ,  the  times  and  the 
seasons  for  fulfilling  which  the  Father  hath 
put  in  his  own  power,  and  which  there- 
fore it  is  not  for  man  to  know.  "But," 
added  the  departing  Saviour,  "ye  shall  re- 
ceive power  after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
come  upon  you;  and  ye  shall  be  witnesses 
unto  me  both  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  all  Judea, 
and  in  Samaria,  and  unto  the  uttermost 
part  of  the  earth." 

Here  then  is  an  exposition  of  his  will, 
given  by  God  himself;  sustained  and  inter- 
preted by  innumerable  promises,  prophecies, 
and  acts;  and  made  so  plain  and  prominent 
as  to  constitute  the  ground  of  the  most 
implicit  faith,  and  the  motive  to  the  most 
self-sacrificing   efi'ort.     And  hence  we    are 


OF   MISSIONS.  35 

informed,  tliat  they  who  listened  to  our 
Saviour's  last  annunciation  of  this  "promise 
of  the  Father," — that  these  all  "continued 
with  one  accord  in  prayer  and  supplication 
■with  the  women." 

Let  it  then  be  understood  and  felt,  that  it 
is  the  will  of  Grod  that  the  heathen  should  be 
given  unto  Christ,  and  the  uttermost  parts 
of  the  earth  as  his  possession.  This,  be  it 
understood  by  all  men,  is  not  merely  God's 
secret,  sovereign,  and  absolute  will;  this  is 
God's  will,  revealed  and  declared.  This  is 
not  merely  God's  will,  as  that  word  implies 
God's  willingness  that  this  should  be  accom- 
plished. It  is  God's  desire.  It  is  God's 
decree.  It  is  God's  decree,  declared  and 
ratified.  It  is  God's  decree,  consummated 
by  the  actual  establishment  of  his  spiritual 
kingdom;  by  the  incarnation  of  his  only 
begotten  Son ;  by  the  inauguration  of  Christ 
as  King  upon  the  holy  hill  of  Zion ;  by  his 
exaltation  to  the  throne  of  heaven;  by  his 
endowment  there  with  all  power  in  heaven 
and  on  earth.  This  is  that  will  of  God  which 
he  has  publicly  attested  to  all  past  a^es  by 


36  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom;  by  its 
preservation  and  propagation  through  sixty 
centuries;  through  people  and  realms  of 
every  tongue;  against  powers  of  earth  and 
hell  combined;  through  ages  of  persecution 
and  seas  of  blood;  gathering  to  itself,  in  its 
visible  organization,  through  every  successive 
generation,  from  among  its  enemies  and  its 
most  determined,  active  assailants,  millions 
of  devoted — because  convinced  and  convert- 
ed— friends;  and  collecting  together,  in  its 
invisible  form,  "the  kingdom  of  heaven,  the 
general  assembly,  the  church  of  the  first- 
born, the  heavenly  Zion;"  the  millions  of 
millions  who,  through  faith  and  patience,  and 
manifold  tribulations,  conflicts,  and  victo- 
ries, shall  have  passed  from  earth  to  heaven, 
from  time  to  eternity,  from  faith  to  vision, 
and  from  hope  to  the  full  fruition  of  unspeak- 
able delight. 

Lord,  who,  to  set  thy  pardon's  seal, 
To  us  thy  Godhead  dost  reveal, 
And  on  our  skies  the  signal  plant 
Of  thy  life-giving  covenant: 
Grant  I  may  so  obedience  learn, 
That  I  may  all  its  truths  discern; 


OF   MISSIONS.  37 

And  thus,  while  I  its  truths  discern, 

My  heart  shall  full  obedience  learn, 

Until  their  mutual  benison 

Disclose  in  me  the  eternal  Son. 

So  order  me,  that  wholly  thine. 

Walking  in  holy  discipline, 

Thy  promise  in  my  soul  I'll  hide, 

To  steer  me  mid  life's  whelming  tide; 

Above  all  joy  thy  kingdom  love, 

In  life  and  death  thy  servant  prove, 

Resigned,  resolved,  in  meekness  bold  ; 

That  so  thy  prayer,  which  I  repeat, 

May  find  in  me  accordance  meet.  , 


GOD   NOW  ACCOMPLISHING   HIS   DECREE   IN   TWO    SUPER- 
HUMAN   FACTS. 

Let  us  dwell  upon  two  of  the  marvellous 
facts  to  which  we  have  alluded.  Although 
superhuman  in  their  character  and  cause, 
and  most  wonderful  in  their  development, 
and  of  extraordinary  force  as  proofs  of  the 
divinity  of  Christianity,  they  are  greatly 
overlooked  both  by  the  friends  and  by  the 
enemies  of  the  gospel. 

The  first  is,  that  the  adherents  of  Chris- 
tianity, at  any  one  time,  are  composed  ex- 
clusively of  those  who  have  been  convinced, 
4*  * 


3S  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

converted,  and  made  willing  captives  and 
loyal  subjects  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom 
during  a  single  generation,  and  who  will 
cease  even  to  exist  when  another  generation 
shall  have  come  into  existence.  The  Church 
of  God  is  not  self-perpetuating.  It  is  not 
hereditary.  It  is  not  a  caste.  It  is  not  a 
secret  mystic  order.  It  creates  no  monopo- 
ly. It  is  sustained  by  no  appeals  to  pride, 
passion,  interest,  honour,  or  emolument.  It 
recognizes  no  distinction  in  colour,  in  rank, 
in  social  and  civil  position,  in  wealth,  educa- 
tion, or  refinement,  except  so  far  as  these 
pertain  to  the  life  that  now  is,  and  to  those 
temporal  distinctions  which  are  ordained  of 
God  only  for  man's  present  advantage  and 
progress,  and,  after  serving  their  temporary 
purposes,  perish  and  are  forgotten.  On  all 
that  is  of  the  world,  Christianity  looks  with 
anxious  and  sorrowful  contemplation.  On 
all  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye, 
and  the  pride  of  life — on  all  its  pomps  and 
pageantry— on  all  its  fashion  and  vain  show 
— on  all  its  diversities  of  rank  and  fortune, 
of  wealth  and  poverty — on  all  this  fashion 


OF  MISSIONS.  39 

of  the  world,  Christianity  looks  down  as 
upon  the  waves  which,  in  endless  variety  of 
form  and  size,  rise,  and  fall,  and  sink  into  the 
one  common  mass  of  ocean ;  or  as  upon  the 
bubbles  that  come  to  the  surface  of  some 
boiling  spring,  which,  however  diversified  in 
their  force  and  figure,  and  noisy  ebullition, 
all  burst  and  scatter,  and  wholly  disappear. 
Christianity,  therefore,  is  no  natural  so- 
ciety, combined  and  held  together  by  natural 
principles,  prejudices,  partialities,  or  asso- 
ciations of  any  kind.  It  repudiates  and.  ab- 
jures them  all.  It  is  based  exclusively  upon 
spiritual  truths,  spiritual  hopes,  spiritual 
blessings,  and  spiritual  experiences.  It  de- 
mands the  renunciation  of  all  others,  so  far 
as  they  may  be  contrary  to  these.  It  knows 
no  birthright  but  a  celestial  birth,  no  title 
but  faith,  no  life  but  Christ,  and  no  citizen- 
ship but  that  constituted  by  allegiance  to 
Him  who  is  the  King  of  Zion,  and  the  King 
of  kings.  Every  Christian  is  therefore  a 
convert,  who  had  once  been  a  pervert. 
Every  Christian  is  a  friend  who  had  once 
been  an  enemy.     Every  Christian  is  a  re- 


40 

• 

claimed,  reconciled,  and  adopted  child,  who 

had  once  been   an  apostate,  prodigal,  and 

disinherited  outcast.* 

And  hence,  whether  in  another  generation, 

Christianity  shall  become  extinct,  and   the 

Church  exterminate,  depends  upon  the  fact 

whether  other  millions  shall  arise  to  take  the 

places  of  the  living  by  coming  out  from  the 

world,  by  separating   themselves,    believing 

Christ's  doctrines,  by  submitting  to  Christ's 

discipline,  by   accepting   Christ's  promises, 

*  "Who  are  they,"  says  Arnobius  (lib.  i.)  ''perhaps 
you  ask — (he  is  addressing  the  heathen,  and  appealing 
to  the  example  of  the  first  Christians) — tribes,  peoples, 
nations,  the  incredulous  human  race?  Had  not  the 
thing  been  public,  and  in  some  sort  clearer  than  the 
light,  they  would  never  have  given  their  assent  to 
claims  of  this  nature.  Shall  "we  say  that  the  men  of 
those  times  were  inconsiderate,  deceitful,  stupid, 
brutish  enough  to  feign  having  seen  what  they  never 
saw  ? — and  that  when  they  might  have  lived  with  you  in 
harmony  and  amicable  union,  they  chose  gratuitous 
hatred,  and  to  bear  an  execrable  name?  Truly,  it 
was  because  they  saw  all  these  things  done  by  Christ 
and  by  his  heralds,  that  multitudes,  conquered  by  the 
force  of  truth  itself,  gave  themselves  to  God,  nor 
thought  it  too  great  a  cost  to  surrender  themselves  to 
you  for  torture  and  for  death." 


OF  MISSIONS.  41 

by  devoting  themselves  to  Christ's  service  in 
body,  soul,  and  spirit;  and  by  living  not 
unto  themselves,  nor  unto  the  world,  but 
unto  Him  that  died  for  them,  who  rose 
again  for  their  justification,  and  whose  will 
it  is  that  his  gospel  should  be  preached  to 
every  creature. 

Let  us,  then,  bear  this  in  mind,  in  our 
estimation  of  the  claims  of  the  gospel  to 
be — according  to  the  decree  and  plan  of 
God — the  instrumentality,  the  power,  and 
the  wisdom  of  God  for  the  salvation  of 
men,  and  predestined  therefore  to  be  yet 
preached,  as  a  witness  unto  all  nations,  and 
to  the  very  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth.  To 
have  any  thing  like  a  proper  view  of  these 
claims,  we  must  not  only  estimate  the  mil- 
lions now  alive,  who  have  been  constrained, 
by  a  reluctant  conviction,  to  render  to  that 
gospel  a  real,  or  at  least  an  outward  and 
submissive  obedience;  but  to  these  millions 
we  must  also  add  the  millions  more,  in  every 
generation,  up  to  the  time  of  the  original 
proclamation  of  that  gospel  in  the  garden 
of  Eden,  who  have  thus  believed.     But  we 


42 

must  still  further  remember,  that  every  one 
of  these  millions  was  personally,  and  by  his 
own  individual  choice,  and  against  all  the 
dissuasions  of  carnal  pleasure,  worldly  profit, 
and  earthly  ambition,  a  living  and  a  willing 
sacrifice,  offered  up  by  his  own  hand  upon 
the  altar  of  the  divine  Redeemer's  one  great 
sacrifice,  as  a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world. 

It  is  in  this  aspect,  and  in  this  only,  that 
we  can  clearly  see  the  will  of  God,  as  re- 
vealed in  his  decree,  actually  realized  and 
made  the  immovable  foundation  of  all  provi- 
dences, the  basis  of  all  promises,  the  spirit 
of  all  prophecies,  the  life  of  all  dispensations, 
the  soul  of  all  ordinances,  the  key  of  all 
mysteries,  the  philosophy  of  all  history,  the 
destiny  of  all  nations,  the  chain  of  all  events, 
and  the  electric  wire  which  conveys  one  and 
the  same  utterance,  from  the  first  voice  of 
God  in  Eden,  to  that  full  proclamation  of 
the  gospel  now  made  to  every  age,  and  kin- 
dred, and  people  under  the  whole  heavens. 

How  great,  then,  is  our  privilege  who  live 
in  these  later  days  of  the  church  and  of  the 


OF   MISSIONS.  43 

world!  The  spiritual  experience  of  sixty 
centuries,  and  of  a  cloud  of  innumerable  wit- 
nesses is  ours.  We  have  not  to  tread  a  path 
in  which  we  have  no  precursors,  or  encounter 
dangers  which  have  never  been  met  and 
overcome.  Far  as  the  eye,  or  even  imagina- 
tion can  reach,  the  road  which  we  have  to 
traverse  is  crowded  with  beckoning  forms, 
as  though  the  sepulchres  gave  up  their  host 
of  worthies  that  we  might  be  animated  with 
the  view  of  the  victorious  throng. 

Soldiers  of  Christ,  arise, 
And  put  your  armour  on. 
Strong  in  the  strength  which  God  supplies 
Through  his  eternal  Son; 

Strong  in  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
And  in  his  mighty  power; 
Who  in  the  strength  of  Jesus  trusts, 
Is  more  than  conqueror. 

Stand  then  in  his  great  might, 
With  all  his  strength  endued ; 
But  take  to  arm  you  for  the  fight. 
The  panoply  of  God. 

That  having  all  things  done, 
And  all  your  conflicts  past, 


44  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Ye  may  o'ercome  througli  Christ  alone, 
And  stand  entire  at  last. 

From  strength  to  strength  go  on, 
Wrestle,  and  fight,  and  pray. 
Tread  all  the  poTrers  of  darkness  down, 
And  win  the  well-fought  day. 

Such  is  the  first  fact,  in  proof  of  the  vi- 
tality and  of  the  actual  accomplishment  of 
God's  decree,  to  which  we  would  invite  more 
than  ordinary  attention — a  fact  which  mul- 
tiplies the  number  of  distinct  witnesses  to 
the  truth  of  Christianity  by  millions,  and  as- 
similates the  accumulated  power  of  their 
combined  testimony  to  the  light  of  the  Sun, 
whose  goings  forth  are  from  one  end  of  the 
heavens  unto  the  other,  and  which  utters  its 
silent  proclamations,  wherever  there  is  a 
speech  or  language  in  which  they  can  be 
heard. 

And  the  second  fact  in  proof  of  the  actual 
accomplishment  and  glorious  power  of  God's 
decree — like  unto  the  first,  and  following 
from  it  as  a  final  end  and  consummation — is 
that  unlike  all  other  kingdoms,  this  kingdom 
of  Zion  is  unfailing  and  undiminished.     Of 


OF   MISSIONS.  45 

its  dominion  there  is  no  end.  Its  victories 
never  become  defeats,  because  its  defeats  are 
always  the  precursors  of  greater  and  more 
glorious  victories.  The  conquests  of  the 
gospel  abide  in  everlasting  trophies  of  re- 
deeming grace.  Its  converts,  numerous  as 
the  drops  of  morning  dew,  are  transformed 
into  living  diamonds,  which  sparkle  in  un- 
diminished lustre  upon  the  leaves  of  that 
tree  which  grows  fast  by  the  river  of  life  in 
the  paradise  above,  and  whose  ever-growing 
branches  supply  shade,  fruit,'  and  beauty  to 
the  increasing  multitude  of  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord,  as  they  return,  day  by  day  and 
hour  by  hour,  to  the  celestial  Zion,  with 
everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads. 

I  stood  by  the  open  casement, 

And  looked  upon  the  night, 
And  saw  the  westward  going  stars 

Pass  slowly  out  of  sight. 

Slowly  the  bright  procession 

Went  down  the  gleaming  arch, 
And  my  soul  discerned  the  music 

Of  their  long  triumphant  march: 

Till  the  great  celestial  army, 
Stretching  far  beyond  the  poles, 

5 


46  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Became  the  eternal  symbol 
Of  the  mighty  march  of  souls. 

The  stars  and  the  mailed  moon, 
Though  they  seem  to  fall  and  die, 

Still  sweep,  with  their  embattled  lines, 
An  endless  reach  of  sky. 

And  though  the  hills  of  death, 

May  hide  the  bright  array, 
The  marshalled  brotherhood  of  souls 

Still  keeps  its  upward  way. 

Upward !  for  ever  upward, 

I  see  their  march  sublime, 
And  hear  the  glorious  music 

Of  the  conquerors  of  Time. 

And  long  let  me  remember 

That  the  palest  fainting  one 
May  to  Divine  vision  be 

A  bright  and  blazing  sun. 

The  cliurch  on  earth  is  only  the  nursery 
for  the  church  in  heaven.  She  is  only  the 
birthplace  of  souls — the  school  of  eternity — 
the  gymnasium  of  probationary  discipline — 
the  field  of  labour — the  scene  of  battle — the 
theatre  of  glorious  war — the  harvest  for  a 
celestial  reaping,  when  the  harvest-home  of 
every  grain  of  wheat,  ripened  upon  earth 
and  gathered  into  the  heavenly  garner,  shall 


OF   MISSIONS.  47 

be  celebrated  amid  the  rejoicing  shouts  of 
that  innumerable  multitude  whom  no  man 
can  number. 

When,  therefore,  the  present  generation, 
of  true  believers  shall  pass  from  earth,  they 
shall  pass  to  heaven.  They  die  not;  they 
die  no  more;  they  are  not  lost;  they  are 
only  gone  before. 

He  bides  with  us  who  dies,  he  is  but  lost  who  lives. 

They  do  not  cease  to  be  "Christians;  they  are 
made  perfect  in  heaven.  They  do  not  lose 
their  birthright;  the  inheritance  is  theirs, 
and  the  heir  has  become  the  lord  and  mas- 
ter. They  join  the  generation  of  true  be- 
lievers who  preceded  them ;  they  mingle  with 
the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first- 
born in  heaven.  They  become  fellow  citizens 
with  Adam  and  Eve;  with  Enoch  and  the 
sons  of  God;  with  Noah  and  his  believing 
posterity;  with  Abraham  and  Job;  with 
Moses  and  Elias;  with  prophets  and  apos- 
tles; with  saints  and  martyrs;  with  friends 
and  relatives;  and  with  all  the  blessed  dead 
who  have  died  in  the  Lord  in  the  faith  and 
hope  of  the  gospel. 


48  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

Come  on,  my  partners  in  distress. 
Companions  through  the  wilderness, 

Fierce  warfare  urging  still: 
Awhile  forget  your  griefs  and  fears. 
And  look  beyond  this  vale  of  tears, 

To  that  celestial  hill. 

Beyond  the  bounds  of  time  and  space 
Look  forward  to  that  heavenly  place, 

The  saints'  secure  abode; 
On  faith's  strong  eagle  pinions  rise. 
And  force  your  passage  to  the  skies, 

And  scale  ttie  mount  of  God. 

We  suffer  with  our  Master  here, 
But  shall  before  his  face  appear, 

And  by  his  side  sit  down. 
To  patient  faith  the  prize  is  sure ; 
And  all  that  to  the  end  endure 

The  cross,  shall  wear  the  crown. 

The  great  mysterious  Deity, 

We  soon  with  open  face  shall  see — 

The  beatific  sight 
Shall  fill  heaven's  sounding  courts  with  praise, 
And  wide  diffuse  the  golden  blaze 

Of  everlasting  light. 

In  hope  of  such  ecstatic  joys, 
Jesus,  we  now  sustain  the  cross,: 

And  at  thy  footstool  fall : 
Till  thou  our  hidden  life  reveal — 
Till  thou  our  ravished  spirits  fill, 

And  God  be  all  in  all! 


OF   MISSIONS,  49 

To  estimate  aright,  therefore,  the  will  of 
God  ia  this  decree;  and  the  results  of  this 
decree  in  the  souls  already  actually  given  to 
Christ;  and  to  estimate  aright  the  future 
results  of  this  decree  in  the  coming  triumph 
of  the  gospel,  we  must  add  to  all  the  Chris- 
tians now  on  earth,  all  who  have  ever  been 
upon  earth,  and  every  one  of  whom — not 
one  lost  or  missing — are  now  in  heaven. 
And  still  further,  in  estimating  what  the 
gospel,  as  the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom 
of  God  unto  salvation,  can  now  do,  and 
what  it  can  accomplish  for  the  generations 
following,  we  must  lift  up  our  heads  and  be- 
hold that  great  cloud  of  witnesses  who  now 
surround  us  in  heaven,  and  who,  through 
faith  and  patient  obedience,  have  inherited 
all  the  promises,  and  are  now  enjoying  that 
eternal  weight  of  glory,  which  is  so  unspeak- 
able, that  while  here  below  neither  eye  saw, 
nor  ear  heard,  nor  did  it  enter  into  their 
hearts  to  conceive  it. 

Come,  brothers!  let  us  onward; 

Night  comes  without  delay, 
And  in  this  howling  desert 

It  is  not  good  to  stay. 
5* 


50  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Take  courage  and  be  strong ; 

We  are  hasting  on  to  heaven; 

Strength  for  warfare  will  be  given, 
And  glory  won  ere  long. 

The  pilgrim's  path  of  trial 

We  do  not  fear  to  view ; 
We  know  his  voice  who  calls  us — 

We  know  him  to  be  true. 
Then  let  who  will  contemn, 

Come,  strong  in  his  Almighty  grace, 

Come,  every  one  with  steadfast  face! 
On  to  Jerusalem! 

0  brothers,  soon  is  ended 

The  journey  we've  begun; 
Endure  a  little  longer — 

The  race  will  soon  be  run. 
And  in  the  land  of  rest — 

In  yonder  bright  eternal  home 

Where  all  the  Father's  loved  ones  come- 
We  shall  be  safe  and  blest. 

Then,  boldly  let  us  venture ! 

This,  this  is  worth  the  cost: 
Though  dangers  we  encounter. 

Though  every  thing  is  lost, 
0  world!  how  vain  thy  call! 

We  follow  him  who  went  before, 

We  follow,  to  the  eternal  shore, 
Jesus,  our  all-in-all. 


OF   MISSIONS.  51 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF  THIS  DECREE  AND   OF  GOD's   PLAN, 
IN    THE    ESTABLISHMENT    OF    HIS   CHURCH. 

From  such  a  survey  of  the  actual  working 
of  God's  decree,  and  of  what  has  been  ac- 
complished under  it  in  ages  past,  God's  will 
— including  both  his  purpose  and  his  plan — 
in  the  establishment  of  Zion  as  the  church 
or  kingdom  of  Christ  is  made  unmistakably 
plain,  and  our  faith  and  obedience  as  indubi- 
tably certain.  The  church  of  God  implies 
the  existence  of  heathen,  and  of  heathen  in 
remote  and  distant  lands,  even  to  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth.  The  decree  of 
God  in  setting  up  Christ  as  the  king  of 
Zion,  evidently  presupposes  such  a  fallen 
and  apostate  condition  of  humanity  as  ori- 
ginates the  abominable  system  of  idolatry, 
with  all  its  defiance  of  God,  and  its  temporal 
and  everlasting  destruction  of  the  well-being 
of  man.  And  hence  the  word  of  God 
regards  sin  as  rebellion  against  the  govern- 
ment and  laws  of  God.  It  declares  enmity 
to  God  to  be  the  spirit  of  every  natural 
heart,  and  traitorous  disloyalty  to  be  the 


52  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

characteristic  of  the  human  race  under  all 
its  manifestations. 

It  was  in  full  view  of  all  this  sad  apos- 
tasy, that  God  established  his  throne  in 
Zion.  Here  he  manifests  himself  in  Christ 
for  the  restoration  and  reconciliation  of  the 
world.  Here  Christ  reigns.  Here  he  pro- 
mulgates God's  purposes  and  plan  of  mercy, 
and  the  way  of  salvation.  Here  a  welcome 
reception  is  given  to  every  returning  sinner, 
who  is  willing  to  lay  down  the  weapons  of 
his  rebellion,  and  bow  to  the  sceptre  of 
God's  rightful  dominion.  And  from  Zion 
go  forth  the  messengers  of  the  King  of 
peace,  into  every  valley,  and  to  every  moun- 
tain top,  preaching  the  glad  tidings,  and 
publishing  peace,  he  that  heareth  saying. 
Come,  and  every  man  saying  unto  his 
neighbour.  Know  thou  the  Lord,  until  all 
shall  know  him,  and  every  knee  shall  bow 
to  him,  and  every  tongue  confess  that  he 
is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

Thy  name  we  hallow,  and  adore, 
Praising  thee  for  evermore. 
And  hasten  till  thy  kingdom  come, 
Which  is  our  eternal  home. 


OF   MISSIONS.  53 

May  we  till  that  blest  palm  be  won, 
On  the  path  of  duty  run, 
With  angels  and  archangels  high, 
And  the  heavenly  company; 

Singing  of  thine  immortal  love, 
As  thine  angels  sing  above. 
0  daily  from  the  angelic  hall. 
This  life  giving  food  let  fall; 

And  knit  us  in  the  holy  tie 

Of  never  failing  charity. 

That  from  thine  own  parental  sway, 

Naught  may  lead  our  feet  astray ; 

Ever  attuned  in  heart  to  sing, 
Thee  our  everlasting  King. 
Whose  glory  is  our  home  on  high, 
And  his  name  best  Panoply. 

THE   ADAPTATION   OF   THE   CHURCH   TO   THE   FULFIL- 
MENT OF  god's  decree. 

Such  is  Zion.  It  is  God's  appointed 
instrumentality  for  the  subjugation  of  a 
rebellious  world;  for  the  overthrow  of  the 
kingdom  of  darkness;  for  the  reconciliation 
of  apostate  men;  for  their  restoration  to 
the  image  and  glory  of  God ;  and  for  their 
translation  to  that  heavenly  kingdom,  where 
they  shall  reign  as  kings  and  priests  unto 
God  for  ever. 


64  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

Now,  let  US  take  any  one  point  of  time, 
and  any  one  spot  of  earth,  and  let  this 
kingdom  be  established  there,  and  this 
gospel  be  known  there,  and  this  decree  of 
God  be  proclaimed  there,  and  we  at  once 
perceive  that  by  the  very  necessity  of  the 
case,  this  central  luminary  radiates  outwards 
to  those  who  are  still  heathen,  even  to  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth — that  is,  to 
those  parts  of  the  earth  which  are  outermost 
from  that  centre.  And  we  are  plainly 
taught  by  God,  that  it  was  for  this  very 
purpose  that  such  church  was  established. 
God  placed  it  where  it  is,  in  the  centre  of 
its  own  particular  orbit — ^just  as  he  did  the 
sun,  and  the  moon,  and  the  stars — to  give 
light  unto  all.  For  this  very  end  and  no 
other,  were  that  particular  church,  and  the 
church  universal — which  is  the  sum  of  all 
particular  churches — ordained  and  establish- 
ed on  the  poles  of  truth,  and  in  the  sphere 
of  sinful  humanity,  that  they  might  each 
one,  according  to  their  ability,  irradiate  its 
darkness  with  the  light  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  the  blessed  God. 


OF  MISSIONS.  55 

And  hence  in  David's  time  Zion  had  its 
central  throne  in  Palestine;  and  Europe, 
Great  Britain,  and  America  were,  relatively 
to  it,  heathen,  and  at  the  uttermost  ends  of 
the  earth.  At  earlier  periods  Zion  had  a 
different  centre,  different  radii,  and  a  differ- 
ent circumference.  At  other  periods  it  had 
several  centres,  like  the  several  planets  of  a 
system,  from  each  of  which  the  light  diffused 
itself,  and  the  sound  of  the  gospel  went  forth 
into  all  the  region  round  about.  After  the 
resurrection  of  Christ,  and  his  ascension  to 
heaven,  and  his  bestowment  of  celestial  gifts 
— inspiration,  miracles,  ordinances,  officers, 
and  above  all  others  in  glory  and  import- 
ance, the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost — these 
centres  of  spiritual  life  and  light  were  kin- 
dled not  only  in  Palestine,  not  only  in  Asia, 
not  only  in  Italy,  but  in  Spain  also,  in 
Britain,  in  India,  in  China,  and  in  whatever 
countries  were  then  the  uttermost  parts  of 
the  earth.  And  so  it  has  been  ever  since, 
and  is  now,  with  varying  fluctuations  accord- 
ing to  the  faith  and  obedience  of  those  to 


56  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

■whose  instrumentality  the  extension  of  the 
gospel  has  been  committed. 

Ye  captains  of  a  heavenly  host ; 

Ye  princes  of  a  heavenly  hall — 
Stars  of  the  world,  in  darkness  lost, 

And  judges  at  its  funeral; 

Lights  rising  o'er  a  wintry  night, 

With  tidings  of  eternal  youth ; 
On  error's  long  bewildered  sight, 

Emerging  with  the  lamp  of  truth. 

Captains,  but  not  of  spear  and  shield, 
No  rebel  host  with  steel  to  tame. 

Nor  arms  of  eloquence  to  wield ; 

Nought  but  the  lowly  cross  of  shame. 

The  chain  is  riven,  and  broke  the  rod, 
The  world's  long  stern  captivity; 

And  men  are  free  to  serve  their  God, 
Whose  yoke  alone  is  liberty. 

To  distant  lands  His  heralds  fleet, 
By  God's  mysterious  presence  led; 

How  beauteous  ars  their  passing  feet. 
Like  morn  upon  the  mountain  spread! 

To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 

All  glory  be,  as  was  of  old, 
Who  calleth  men,  in  darkness  lost, 

His  saving  glory  to  behold.* 

*  A  hymn  of  the  Ancient  Church. 


OF  MISSIONS.      •  57 

WHAT   THE   CHURCH    ACCOMPLISHED   OF   OLD,    AND   IS 
STILL    ABLE    TO    PERFORM. 

The  church,  as  the  pillar  and  ground  of 
truth,  is  therefore  the  visible  embodiment  of 
God's  will  to  a  world,  lying  in  wickedness, 
rebellion,  and  guilt.  It  is  the  standard  of 
the  cross  planted  on  Immanuel's  ground;  on 
that  territory  which  has  been  purchased  and 
watered  by  his  precious  blood.  It  is  the  un- 
furling of  his  banner;  the  rallying  point  of 
his  soldiers;  the  centre  of  operations  in 
whatever  territory  of  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness it  exists.  And  for  the  fulfilment  of  this 
mission,  it  is  the  power  of  God,  mighty 
to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strongholds  of 
sin  and  Satan.  The  church  is  to  the  world 
what  Israel  was  to  the  surrounding  king- 
doms. To  it  were  given  the  oracles  and 
ordinances  of  God.  In  it  were  found  the 
tabernacle,  and  the  sanctuary,  and  the  altar, 
and  the  ark  of  the  testimony,  and  the  Shek- 
inah,  and  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire. 
Around  these  were  gathered,  in  their  tents 
and  tribes,  the  chosen  people.  With  that 
people  these  signs  of  heaven  abode,  and 
6 


58  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

wben  by  God's  order  these  signs  of  his  pre- 
sence, these  pledges  of  his  power  were 
moved,  then  also  Israel  moved.  With  these 
evidences  of  God's  presence  and  power 
around  them,  Israel  fought  and  conquered 
until  the  whole  promised  land  was  subdued, 
allotted,  and  inhabited,  and  God's  throne 
was  established  on  Mount  Zion.  The  centre 
of  God's  Jewish  Zion  was,  therefore,  origin- 
ally in  Egypt,  afterwards  at  the  Red  Sea, 
again  in  the  wilderness,  in  Edom,  and  in 
Canaan.  But  every  where  that  Zion  and 
the  people  who  composed  it  were  the  same, 
and  their  ultimate  end  and  purpose  the 
same,  and  their  mode  of  accomplishing  that 
end  was  the  same. 

Now  what  Zion  did  for  Israel,  it  has 
accomplished  every  where,  and  at  all  times, 
and  for  every  nation.  It  lifted  them  up  from 
the  depth  of  degradation  and  depravity.  It 
enlightened,  elevated,  and  refined  them.  It 
multiplied  them  as  the  stars  of  heaven.  It 
made  them  courageous,  patriotic,  and  victo- 
rious. It  stimulated  them  to  industry  and 
healthy  activity.     It  encouraged  commerce 


OF  MISSIONS.  59 

and  fostered  art.  It  diffused  education  and 
gave  birth  to  poetry,  eloquence,  and  true 
philosophy.  It  made  Israel  the  envy  of  all 
other  nations,  and  the  exemplar  of  all  true 
national  glory  and  prosperity.  So  long  as 
it  existed  in  purity  and  power,  and  so  far  as 
its  legitimate  purpose  and  spirit  were  mani- 
fested, God's  ancient  church  accomplished 
all  these  results.  And  it  secured  all  these 
results  by  accomplishing  what  was  its  chief 
end,  that  is,  the  preservation  and  the  pro- 
mulgation of  the  gospel.  Indeed  the  whole 
history  of  the  Jewish  people  is  an  intended 
exemplification  of  God's  will  and  man's  duty; 
of  God's  mercy  and  man's  misery;  of  the 
nature  and  design  of  the  church  and  of  the 
gospel  entrusted  to  its  instrumentality;  of 
faith  as  the  principle,  and  obedience  as  the 
life  of  missions;  and  of  the  inseparable 
connection  between  fidelity  and  success; 
between  disobedience  and  calamity;  between 
spirituality  and  power;  between  piety  and 
prosperity;  between  zeal  for  God's  glory 
and  man's  salvation,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
God's  favour  and  blessing  in  this   present 


60  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

life,  and  of  glory,  honour,  and  immortality, 
and  proportionate  recompense  in  the  life 
everlasting. 

In  Israel  stood  God's  ancient  throne, 

He  loved  that  chosen  race ; 
But  now  he  calls  the  world  his  own, 

And  heathens  taste  his  grace. 

Christ's    mediatorial   work   expressly  designed 

FOR   ACCOMPLISHING   GOd's   DECREE. 

The  church  then  is  God's  will  and  decree, 
revealed  and  made  the  basis  of  our  faith  and 
obedience,  that  through  his  church  might  be 
made  known  to  the  heathen,  and  to  the  very 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  his  manifold 
wisdom  and  grace  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son. 
This  is  God's  own  chosen  way,  and  his  only 
appointed  way  of  saving  souls;  of  preaching 
the  gospel,  and  of  reclaiming  his  enemies. 
This  is  the  kingdom  given  to  his  Son,  and 
founded  on  his  mediation,  incarnation,  and 
sacrifice.  It  was  in  obedience  to  God's  will 
and  commandment  Christ  became  the  Saviour 
of  the  world,  the  propitiation  for  sin,  the 
founder  of  his  church,  the  King  of  Zion,  the 


OF   MISSIONS.  61 

ruler  and  commander  of  his  loyal  subjects, 
the  Captain  of  salvation,  the  conqueror  of 
Satan,  and  the  supreme  judge  and  avenger 
of  all  finally  impenitent  enemies.  This  was 
that  -will  of  God  which  Christ  tells  us  he 
came  to  do.  This  was  God's  commission 
which  Christ  came  to  execute.  This  was 
the  will  of  God,  to  do  which  was  Christ's  meat 
and  drink  while  carrying  on  and  finishing 
"the  work  God  gave  him  to  do."  "This  is 
the  will  which  was  supreme  with  Christ  in 
the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  and  nerved  his 
soul  for  the  horrors  of  the  cross;  the  will 
for  which  he  was  born;  that  will  of  God 
for  which  he  died ;  for  which  he  rose  again ; 
for  which  he  lives  and  reigns;  for  which  he 
saves,  sanctifies,  and  redeems  sinners;  for 
which  he  rules  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  earth,  making  all 
things  conspire  to  the  furtherance  of  the 
gospel,  and  the  fulfilment  of  his  plans."* 

*  The  reader  will,  I  hope,  read  and  digest  Dr.  Thorn- 
well's  discourse,    The  Sacrifice  of  Christ  the  Type  and 
Model  for  Missionary  effort,  from  which  I  quote. 
6* 


62  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Christ  came  not  to  be  the  Messiah  of  the 
Jews,  but  the  Saviour  of  the  world — not  to 
redeem,  regenerate,  and  restore  Israel,  but 
to  "draw  all  men  unto  him;"  to  gather 
unto  him  a  glorious  church,  from  among  all 
people,  and  kindreds,  and  tribes,  to  receive 
in  short  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance,  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  as  his  pos- 
session. In  comparison  with  this  glorious 
result  God  regards  the  establishment  of  the 
visible  church,  and  of  its  various  Christian 
institutions  and  advanced  civilization,  as  but 
of  small  account.  "It  is  a  light  thing," 
says  God  to  Christ,  "that  thou  shouldest  be 
my  servant  to  raise  up  the  tribes  of  Jacob, 
and  to  restore  the  preserved  of  Israel;  I 
will  also  give  thee  for  a  light  to  the  Gentiles, 
that  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth.  And  in  the  last  day  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be 
established  in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and 
shall  be  exalted  above  the  hills,  and  all  na- 
tions shall  flow  into  it.  And  he  shall  judge 
among  the  nations.     And   the  Lord  alone 


OF  MISSIONS.  bd 

shall  be  exalted  in  that  day.     And  the  idols 
he  shall  utterly  abolish!"* 

Christ  only,  of  God's  messengers  to  man, 
Finished  the  work  of  grace,  which  he  began; 
E'en  Moses  wearied  upon  Nebo's  height. 

Though  loth  to  leave  the  fight 
With  the  doomed  foe,  yielded  the  sun-bright  land 

To  Joshua's  armed  hand.  * 

And  David  wrought  in  turn  a  strenuous  part, 
Zeal  for  God's  house  consuming  him  at  heart; 
And  yet  he  might  not  build,  but  only  bring 

Gifts  for  the  heavenly  King; 
And  these  another  reared,  his  peaceful  son, 

Till  the  full  work  was  done. 

List,  Christian  warrior!  thou,  whose  soul  is  fain 
To  rid  thy  Mother  of  her  present  chain; — 
Christ  will  exalt  his  church ;  yea,  even  now 

Begins  the  work,  and  thou 
May  est  spend  for  it  thy  life,  but,  ere  he  come 

Thy  lot  shall  be  the  tomb. 

THE   T7ILL   OF  GOD   IS   THE    FOUNDATION"  OF   OUR    KNOW- 
LEDGE   OF    GOD,    AND    OF    OUR    OBEDIENCE    TO    HIM. 

Such  then  is  the  will  of  God  respecting 
the  conversion  of  the  world,  so  far  as  that 

*  See  Butler's  Summary  of  the  Bible  revelation  in  the 
Analogy.    Part  it.  Chapter  7th. 


64  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

will  is  revealed.  This  revealed  will  of  God, 
therefore,  is  undoubtedly  the  source  of  all 
our  relations  to  him,  as  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost,  uniting  in  one  mysterious 
counsel,  and  in  offices  of  ineffable  love,  for 
the  redemption  of  an  apostate  world.  This 
will  of  God  to  show  mercy  and  not  wrath, 
induced  him  to  make  known  the  mystery  of 
godliness,  hidden  for  ages  in  the  infinite 
depths  of  his  incomprehensible  nature.  And 
this  revealed  will  of  God  is  also  the  sum  of 
all  our  divine  knowledge.  This  will,  and 
this  alone,  creates  therefore  all  our  obliga- 
tions and  duties;  gives  origin  to  faith  and 
hope;  to  peace  and  joy;  to  confidence  and 
expectation;  to  love  and  labour;  to  sacri- 
fice and  service.  This  will  determines  what 
is  truth;  what  is  faith;  what  is  obedience; 
what  is  the  nature  of  piety;  what  is  the  life 
of  piety;  what  is  the  final  end  and  purpose 
of  piety;  what  are  the  laws  of  growth  and 
maturity  to  piety;  and  what  shall  be  the 
abiding  fruits  of  piety  in  its  everlasting 
recompense. 


OF   MISSIONS.  65 

My  Saviour  calls,  faith  bids  me  rise 

And  calmly  do  my  best; 
Leaving  to  him,  with  silent  eyes 

Of  hope  and  fear,  the  rest. 
I  step,  I  mount  where  he  has  led; 

Men  count  my  haltings  o'er; 
I  know  them ;  yet,  though  self  I  dread, 

I  love  his  precept  more. 

All  questions  beyond  this  revealed  will 
of  God,  are  among  the  secret  things  still 
reserved  in  the  arcana  of  the  divine  mind. 
They  cannot  affect  what  is  revealed.  They 
cannot  alter,  amend,  or  contradict  it.  They 
cannot  become  the  ground  of  faith,  or  the 
authority  for  obedience.  They  are  not  only 
beyond  our  cognizance,  they  are  wisely 
and  purposely  withheld  and  kept  in  abey- 
ance. They  are  not  intended  to  be  known, 
nor  to  be  comprehended,  nor  to  be  made 
the  basis  either  of  practical  faith,  or  of 
actual  obedience.  They  are  laid  under  a 
divine  interdict.  To  pry  into  them  is  sin. 
To  demand  their  revelation  is  impious  pre- 
sumption. To  assume  to  know  and  under- 
stand them  is  infatuated  folly.  And  to  act 
upon  them,  and  not  to  obey  what  is  revealed, 


66  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

under  a  pretended  compliance  with  what  is 
not  revealed,  is  fanaticism  and  treasonable 
disobedience. 

Difficulties  there  may  exist  both  in  the 
way  of  faith  and  obedience  to  this  will  of 
God,  but  difficulcies  do  not  affect  positive 
knowledge.  Trials  may  lie  like  so  many 
obstacles  in  our  way,  but  trials  do  not  weaken 
truth.  Conflicting  demands  upon  our  time, 
talents,  obligations,  and  services,  will  pre- 
sent their  urgent  claims,  but  these  do  not 
neutralize  the  supreme  will  and  demands  of 
God.  In  regard  to  Christian  missions  there- 
fore— while  there  are  a  thousand  perplex- 
ing questions,  and  innumerable,  and  in  many 
cases  insurmountable  difficulties — and  while, 
so  far  as  permitted,  selfishness,  and  carnal 
wisdom,  and  national  partiality,  and  imme- 
diate local  interests,  (in  themselves  good  and 
great,)  will  multiply  difficulties  and  dis- 
couragements, and  while  some  men  will 
even  boldly  and  blasphemously  deny  both 
that  faith  which  is  the  principle  of  missions, 
and  that  obedidence  which  is  the  life  of 
missions,  yet,  nevertheless,  the   counsel  of 


OF  MISSIONS.  67 

the  Lord  standeth  sure,  and  that  counsel 
alone  shall  stand.  There  is,  therefore,  and 
can  be,  but  one  question  to  every  faithful 
heart,  on  this  and  every  other  practical  sub- 
ject, and  that  is,  "What  is  the  will,  and 
wish,  and  word  of  God?" 

0  might  we  know,  for  sore  we  feel 

The  languor  of  delay, 
When  sickness  lets  our  fainter  zeal, 

Our  foes  block  up  the  way. 

Lord,  who  thy  thousand  years  dost  wait 
To  work  the  thousandth  part 

Of  thy  vast  plan,  for  us  create 
With  zeal — a  patient  heart. 

OBEDIENCE   TO    THIS    DECREED   WILL    OF    GOD    THE   EVI- 
DENCE AND  END  OF  PIETY. 

The  will  of  God  as  it  regards  the  conver- 
sion of  the  world,  and  the  instrumental 
agency  by  which  it  is  to  be  accomplished,  are, 
we  have  seen,  indubitably  plain.  The  king- 
dom of  Christ,  composed  of  all  who  profess 
to  receive  and  believe  on  him,  is  established 
for  the  express  purpose  of  carrying  into 
effect  the  decreed  will  of  God — that  the 
heathen   shall   be   given   to   Christ   for  his 


inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth  for  his  possession.  This  is  the  chief 
end  and  purpose  of  every  church,  and  of 
every  Christian.  To  secure  this  end,  God 
has  evidently  adapted  the  gospel,  and  the 
church,  and  the  ministry ;  and  to  this  end 
also  has  God  adapted  every  Christian,  both 
by  the  natural  and  spiritual  nature  he  has 
imparted  to  him.  For  what  is  the  essence 
of  Christian  piety,  but  conformity  in  nature, 
disposition,  and  desires,  to  God  as  manifested 
in  Christ?  And  the  very  character  of 
Christian  life,  what  is  it  but  sympathy  with 
Christ  in  doing  the  Vill  of  God  for  the 
redemption  of  the  world;  in  seeking  and 
saving  the  lost;  in  preaching  the  gospel  to 
every  creature;  and  in  doing  good  unto  all 
men,  as  we  have  opportunity  and  ability? 

Prove  thou  thy  words,  the  thoughts  control 
That  o'er  thee  swell  and  throng; 

They  will  condense  within  thy  soul, 
And  change  to  purpose  strong. 

But  he  who  lets  his  feelings  run 

In  soft  luxurious  flow, 
Shrinks  when  hard  service  must  be  done, 

And  faints  at  every  woe. 


OF  MISSIONS.  69 

Faith's  meanest  deed  more  favour  bears, 
Where  hearts  and  wills  are  weighed, 

Than  brightest  transports,  choicest  prayers, 
Which  bloom  their  hour  and  fade. 

Was  it  not  for  this  end  God  sent  Christ 
into  the  world — that  the  world  through  him 
might  be  saved?  Was  it  not  for  this  end 
Christ  came  into  the  world,  and  laid  down 
bis  life — that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
might  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life? 
Was  it  not  for  this  cause  the  Holj  Spirit, 
the  Comforter,  was  given  unto  the  world — 
that  the  world  through  him  might  be  con- 
vinced, converted,  and  saved?  Love  to  God, 
love  to  men,  and  the  desire  by  every  sacri- 
fice and  service  which  God  could  render,  to 
deliver  men  from  the  awful  consequences  of 
sin,  and  to  expel  it  from  the  kingdom  of 
God,  these  unquestionably  are  the  moral 
elements  which  enter  into  the  gospel,  and 
the  whole  scheme  of  salvation.  Keunion 
"with  God  through  faith  in  Christ,  and  sanc- 
tification  of  the  Spirit,  will,  therefore,  as- 
suredly implant  these  principles  in  the 
believing  heart.  The  love  of  God  in  giving 
7 


TO  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Christ,  the  love  of  Christ  in  giving  himself, 
and  the  love  of  the  Spirit  in  enkindling  love 
to  both,  cannot  fail  to  awaken  love  to  our 
fellow-men;  love  to  the  whole  race  of  men; 
love  to  that  world  which  God  loved;  for 
which  Christ  became  a  propitiation,  and  for 
which  the  Spirit  works;  and  love  to  men  in 
their  highest  character  and  greatest  need — 
that  is,  to  men  as  immortal,  and  as  exposed 
to  everlasting  misery. 

This  is  the  will  of  God,  and  this  must  be 
the  will  of  all  who  love  God.  This  was  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  and  this  must  be  the  spirit 
of  all  his  followers.  This  is  the  love  of  the 
Spirit,  and  this  love  must  witness  with  our 
spirits  that  we  are,  indeed,  the  children  of 
God.  God's  will  to  save  the  world  led  him 
to  give  his  only  begotten  Son,  and  to  work 
for  its  redemption  hitherto  in  all  the  works 
of  creation,  providence,  and  grace.  Christ's 
will  led  him  to  give  himself  a  ransom  and  a 
redeemer,  and  ever  to  live,  and  reign,  and 
work  for  the  furtherance  of  his  glorious  gos- 
pel. And  the  will  of  the  Holy  Spirit  led 
him  to  work  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  believe 


OP  MISSIONS.  71 

to  will  and  to  do  according  to  God's  merciful 
designs.  Union,  therefore,  to  Christ  implies 
and  requires  union  with  him  in  his  Spirit,  in 
his  love  to  God,  in  his  abhorrence  of  sin,  in 
his  sacrifice,  in  all  his  designs  and  desires 
for  the  perfect  consummation  of  God's  de- 
cree, and  for  the  complete  fulfilment  of  his 
glorious  inheritance,  when  the  heathen  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  shall  be 
given  to  him  for  his  possession,  and  when 
"all  the  ends  of  the  world  shall  remember 
and  turn  unto  the  Lord ;  when  all  the  kindreds 
of  the  earth  shall  worship  before  him,  and 
when  the  kingdom  shall  become  the  Lord's, 
and  be  shall  be  the  governor  among  the 
nations."  Ps.  xxii. 

Behold,  he  comes !  Christ  nearer  draws, 

And  to  his  glorious  mission  cause 
Welcomes  his  own  with  words  of  grace  and  might: 

"Peace  be  to  you!" — their  peace,  who  stand 

In  sentry  with  God's  sword  in  hand. 
The  peace  of  Chi'ist's  loved  champions  warring  in  his 
sight. 

"Peace  be  to  you!" — their  peace,  who  feel 
E'en  as  the  Son  the  Father's  seal. 
So  they  the  Son's;  each  in  his  several  sphere 


72  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Gliding,  on  fearless  angel  wing, 
One  heart  in  all,  one  hope,  one  King, 
Each  an  apostle  true,  a  crowned  and  robed  seer. 

Sent  as  the  Father  sent  the  Son, 

'T  is  not  for  you  to  swerve  nor  shun 
Or  power  or  peril;  ye  must  go  before — 

If  caught  in  the  fierce  bloody  shower, 

Think  on  your  Lord's  o'erwhelming  hour; 
Are  ye  not  priests  to  Him  who  the  world's  forfeit  bore? 

The  will  of  God,  revealed  as  the  ground 
of  faith,  and  the  law  and  measure  of  obe- 
dience, is  not,  then,  it  will  be  seen,  revealed 
merely  for  the  salvation  of  Christian  nations, 
but  also  for  the  salvation  of  the  heathen  to 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth.  This  is 
the  will  and  the  work  of  God,  on  which  he 
has  set  his  heart,  and  to  secure  which  he  in^ 
vokes  the  cooperation  of  all  who  love  and 
obey  him. 

This  is  the  end  and  aim  of  the  Church, 
and  of  the  gospel,  and  of  every  Christian. 
They  are  as  light,  as  leaven,  as  servants, 
as.  co-workers  with  God,  as  an  holy  priest- 
hood— that  whatever  position  they  providen- 
tially occupy,  they  may  employ  their  means, 
their  prayers,  their  influence,  and  their  ex- 


OF   MISSIONS.  73 

ertions,  to  the  extent  of  self-denying  sacrifice^ 
in  order  to  impart  the  knowledge  of  salva- 
tion to  the  heathen,  and  to  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth. 

0  Lord!  -when  sin's  close-marshalled  line 

Urges  thy  witness  on  his  way, 
How  should  he  raise  thy  glorious  sign, 

And  how  thy  will  display ! 

Thus  holy  Paul,  with  soul  of  flame, 
Rose  on  Mars'  Hill,  a  soldier  lone; 

And  thus  preach  we  the  atoning  name, 
Though  but  with  hearts  of  stone. 

OPPOSITION,    DISOBEDIENCE,  OR   INDIFFERENCE   TO   THIS 
WILL    OF    GOD,    IS    SIN. 

We  have  seen,  then,  what  is  God's  will. 
Man  is  God's  creature.  Life  is  God's  gift. 
Faculties  of  body  and  mind,  opportunities 
for  employing  them,  influence  and  means  of 
doing  good,  all  are  God's  talents!  And 
what  man  ought  to  be,  what  a  man  ought  to 
believe,  and  what  a  man  ought  to  do,  is 
clearly  determined  by  God's  will  as  revealed 
for  his  guidance. 

But  sin  has  originated  an  opposite  will. 
Satan  rules  in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  unre- 


14  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

newed  men.  The  lust  of  the  eyes,  the  lust 
of  the  flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life  have  be- 
come governing  principles  to  the  world  Ijing 
in  rebellious  wickedness,  in  allegiance  to 
Satan,  and  in  enmity  to  God.  Every  man 
is,  therefore,  put  to  the  test  whether  he  will 
serve  God  or  Mammon,  whether  he  will  live 
for  self  or  Christ,  whether  he  will  be  for 
Christ  or  against  him,  and  whether  he  will 
take  his  present  portion,  and  his  future  and 
everlasting  recompense  with  the  kingdom  of 
the  saints  of  the  Most  High,  or  look  for  his 
enjoyment  in  the  good  things  of  the  present 
life;  or  whether  he  will  make  the  equally 
fatal,  and  still  more  common  attempt  to 
serve  both  God  and  Mammon,  and  while 
keeping  on  good  terms  with  the  world,  and 
securing  as  much  as  possible  of  its  present 
recompense,  render  unto  God  a  partial  ser- 
vice, give  to  him  a  nominal  obedience,  offer 
unto  him  easy  and  convenient  sacri6ces  of 
means  and  influence,  and  then  hope  for  the 
full  recompense  of  an  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory  in  heaven. 


OF   MISSIONS.  75 


OUR  OBEDIENCE  OR  DISOBEDIENCE  TO  THIS  WILL  OF 
GOD  TO  SAYE  THE  HEATHEN,  IS  OF  MOMENTOUS  AND 
PERILOUS    CONSEQUENCE. 

The  position  of  every  man,  as  related  to 
this  kingdom  and  will  of  God,  is,  it  will  be 
thus  apparent,  one  of  momentous  conse- 
quence. It  involves  his  life.  It  is  the  actual 
condition  of  his  being.  He  must  act  one 
way  or  the  other — he  cannot  be  neutral. 
The  world  is  in  a  state  of  apostacy  and  re- 
bellion. The  very  throne  and  life  of  God 
are  assailed,  and  a  conspiracy  lurks  in  every 
heart,  and  traitors  are  found  even  under  the 
garb  and  profession  of  friends.  Now,  it  is 
the  object  of  the  whole  Bible  to  disclose 
the  nature,  and  extent,  and  malignity  of 
this  unnatural  wickedness;  and  it  is  God's 
determination,  as  there  disclosed,  to  over- 
throw it  by  the  moral  power  of  his  gospel, 
and  if  that  is  rejected,  by  the  whole  force 
of  his  infinite  wrath.  Christ  is  therefore 
exalted  to  the  throne.  His  church — the 
Christian  association,  the  great  missionary 
society — is  instituted.     And  as  in  the  time 


76 

of  William  III.,  and  in  the  period  of  our 
own  revolutionary  struggle,  and  as  in  every 
period  of  civil  war,  or  foreign  invasion, 
every  true  and  faithful  citizen  has  been  ex- 
pected, and  even  required  to  associate  him- 
self with  those  who  pledge  life,  and  honour, 
and  service  to  the  public  good,  so  it  is  in  this 
spiritual  contest,  and  as  it  regards  the  do- 
minion and  throne  of  the  Redeemer.  To 
him  every  knee  is  required  to  bow,  and  every 
tongue  to  confess,  and  every  loyal  subject 
invoked  to  enrol  himself  in  his  divine  associa- 
tion, to  deny  himself,  to  forswear  all  other 
lords,  and  to  follow  Him  by  a  hearty,  zealous 
devotion  to  his  cause,  and  opposition  to  his 
enemies. 

The  mystery  of  iniquity,  and  the  mystery 
of  God's  plan  for  its  destruction  shall  be 
finished,  as  God  hath  declared  to  his  servants 
the  prophets,  when  this  kingdom  shall  no 
longer  be  left  to  other  people,  nor  to  partial 
development,  but  when  judgment  shall  be 
given  to  the  saints,  and  they  shall  reign,  and 
the  kingdom,  and  dominion,  and  the  great- 
ness of  the  kingdom  shall  be  given  to  the 


OF  MISSIONS.  77 

people  of  the  saints  of  the  Most  High,  and 
Jesus  shall  reign  from  shore  to  shore,  and 
from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun. 

It  is  surely  then  a  perilous  thing  for  any 
man  to  be  found,  either  secretly  or  openly, 
either  partially  or  unreservedly,  either  in 
heart  or  in  life,  opposed  to  this  kingdom  of 
Christ,  and  to  this  will  and  decree  of  God — 
that  by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  the  hea- 
then shall  be  given  to  Christ  as  his  inherit- 
ance, and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  his  possession. 

The  decree  offers  no  alternative  but  sub- 
mission and  cooperation — with  the  blessing 
of  Christ  on  earth  and  future  glory;  or  of 
opposition  and  indifference — with  Christ's 
derision  here  on  earth,  and  everlasting 
destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
and  from  the  glory  of  his  power  in  his  hea- 
venly kingdom.  He  that  is  not  with  him,  is, 
he  declares,  against  him.  "He  being  made 
perfect  through  suffering  became  the  author 
of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  that  obey 
him,  and  he  shall  reign  till  he  hath  put  all 
enemies  under  his  feet."     "For  this  man, 


78  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

after  he  had  offered  one  sacrifice  for  sin,  for 
ever  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  God; 
from  henceforth  expecting  till  his  enemies 
be  made  his  footstool.  For  by  one  offering 
he  hath  perfected  for  ever  them  that  are 
sanctified." 

That  we  may  hallow  thy  great  name, 
Lay  on  our  lips  thine  altar  flame ; 
And  that  from  thee  no  more  we  roam, 
Thy  kingdom  come. 

For  only  they,  who  do  thy  will, 
Shall  thine  eternal  kingdom  fill, 
Then  may  we  throughout  this  night 
Walk  in  thy  Hght. 


MOST    DANGEROUS    DELUSION.       EVERY    MAN    REQUIRED 
TO   OBEY. 

This  subject,  we  fear,  is  even  yet  very 
imperfectly  understood  and  very  inadequately 
realized  by  Christians,  and  of  course  utterly 
misconceived  by  the  world.  Missions  to  the 
heathen  are  too  generally  considered  as  a 
scheme  of  man,  and  not  as  the  decree  and 
will  of  God.  The  extension  of  the  gospel  to 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  is  regarded 


OF   MISSIONS.  79 

as  a  magnificent  but  Utopian  enterprise  of 
enthusiastic  spiritual  knight-errantry,  and 
not  as  the  destined  purpose  of  God  the 
Father,  secured  by  covenant  to  God  the  Son, 
and  carried  into  effect  by  the  mighty  power 
of  God  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  decree  and  will  of  God  is 
considered  as  a  consummation  which  only 
the  will  and  power  of  God  miraculously  em- 
ployed can  ever  effect,  and  not  as  a  result  to 
be  accomplished  by  Zion,  on  which  Christ's 
throne  is  established;  in  which  he  reigns; 
of  which  he  is  the  head ;  in  which  he  dwells 
by  his  Spirit  and  presence;  to  which  he  has 
given  the  gospel,  and  the  commission  to  go 
and  preach  it  to  every  creature;  and  with 
which. in  the  prosecution  of  this  agency,  and 
only  in  so  doing,  he  promises  to  be  always, 
to  the  end  of  the  world. 

The  truth  then  is,  that  every  man  must  be 
a  subject  of  this  kingdom  of  Christ,  or  perish 
■with  his  enemies,  and  that  every  man  who  is 
a  member  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  is  re- 
quired by  the  decree  and  will  of  God  to  offer 
prayer  continually  that  this  kingdom  may 


80 

come,  until  the  heathen  shall  be  given  to 
Christ  for  his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession.  In 
other  words  the  will  of  every  Christian  must 
be  the  will  of  God.  The  great  end  and 
object  of  his  life  must  be  the  decreed  purpose 
of  God.  That  on  which  God  has  set  his 
heart  must  engross  the  heart  of  the  Chris- 
tian. That  for  which  Christ  died  and  rose 
again,  the  Christian  must  live  and  die  to 
accomplish.  That  for  which  the  Father  loves 
the  Son,  and  by  which  the  Spirit  glorifies  the 
Son,  every  Christian  must  love  and  count 
his  glory. 

FAITH  IN  god's  WILL  TO  CONVERT  THE  HEATHEN  WILL 
LEAD  TO  OBEDIENCE.  WHERE  THERE  IS  NOT  OBEDI- 
ENCE, THERE  IS  NOT  FAITH. 

Faith  in  God's  will,  which  is  the  spirit 
of  piety,  is  therefore  the  spirit  of  missions. 
Obedience  to  God's  will,  which  is  the  life  of 
piety,  is  the  life  of  missions.  And  missions 
are  just  as  truly  the  very  spirit  and  life  of 
piety,    and   the    unbelief   and   disobedience 


OF   MISSIONS.  81 

which  are  the  destruction  of  missions,  are  at 
the  same  time  the  destruction  of  piety. 

"Sit  thou  here,"  is  the  will  of  God  to  the 
exalted  Redeemer,  who  having  finished  his 
work  of  redemption  is  now  for  ever  set  down 
at  God's  right  hand.  "Sit  thou  here  till  I 
make  all  thine  enemies  thy  footstool."  This 
is  a  renewal  in  heaven  of  the  decree  declared 
on  earth,  another  seal  affixed  to  it,  and  a 
standing  evidence  that  it  is  immutably  cer- 
tain that  Christ  shall  reign  until,  through  the 
agency  of  his  church  and  people,  every  enemy 
has  been  subdued,  and  his  gospel  has  been 
preached  as  a  witness  unto  all  nations. 

Thy  walls  are  strength,  and  at  thy  gates 
A  guard  of  heavenly  warriors  waits ; 
Nor  shall  thy  deep  foundations  move — 
Fixed  on  his  counsels  and  his  love. 

Thy  foes  in  vain  designs  engage ; 
Against  his  throne  in  vain  they  rage; 
Like  rising  waves,  with  angry  roar 
That  dash,  and  die  upon  the  shore. 

Now  "to  them  that  believe,"  this  will  of 
God,  this  exaltation  and  dominion  of  Christ, 
and  this  destined  universality  and  triumph 
8 


82 

of  the  gospel  is  precious;  but  unto  them 
that  stumble  at  the  word,  being  disobedient, 
this  will  of  God  is  made  a  stone  of  stum- 
bling, and  a  rock  of  offence,  over  -which 
they  shall  fall  into  the  destruction  pre- 
pared for  the  devil,  and  for  all  God's  adver- 
saries. 

Faith  in  this  will  of  God  leads,  therefore, 
to  that  obedience  by  which  it  is  accomplished, 
and  not  to  believe  both  in  the  will  and  in 
the  agency  by  which  it  is  to  be  fulfilled  is 
itself  disobedience.  To  believe  and  obey, 
to  disbelieve  and  disobey,  are  so  essentially 
connected  as  cause  and  effect,  as  principle 
and  practice,  that  they  are  often  employed 
as  synonymous.  Unbelief  is  the  source  of 
all  disobedience,  just  as  faith  is  of  all  work. 
Faith  casts  down  all  lofty,  self-opinionated, 
and  proud  imaginations,  and  brings  the  very 
thoughts,  desires,  and  the  will  itself,  into  the 
obedience  of  Christ;  and  not  to  believe  is, 
therefore,  to  remain  in  a  state  of  rebellion 
and  opposition.  But  it  is  more.  It  is  itself 
the  great  rebellion.  It  is  the  most  bold  and 
daring  act  and  exhibition  of  disobedience,  of 


OF  MISSIONS.  »3 

refusing  to  perform  the  will  and  work  of 
God.  For  "  this  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye 
believe."  "The  obedience  of  faith"  is  the 
highest  act  of  confidence,  of  worship,  of  sub- 
jection to  God.  And  not  to  believe  is  to 
become  "children  of  disobedience— of  "un- 
persuadableness,"  as  it  may  be  rendered, 
that  is,  of  those  who  will  not  be  convinced 
and  converted,  and  made  willing  subjects 
of  Christ,  and  who  shall  therefore  "be 
damned." 

Unbelief  is  thus  seen  to  be  the  parent  of 
disobedience,  and  both  together  constitute 
the  highest  aggravation  of  human  depravity 
and  guilt.  They  reject  overtures  of  mercy, 
and  of  honourable  reconciliation  with  God. 
They  exalt  man,  and  dethrone  his  Maker. 
They  substitute  self  for  God;  self-will  for 
God's  will;  man's  opinions  for  God's  de- 
crees ;  self-interest  in  things  present  and 
earthly  for  things  everlasting  and  divine; 
self-aggrandizement  for  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  advancement.«of  his  cause.  Self,  in 
short,  is  made  a  God,  and  God  an  idol.  The 
Bible  is  rejected,  or  set  aside   as   a   dead 


84  OBEDIENCE, 

letter;  and  God  is  made  a  liar — a  deceiver 
— an  unjust  or  arbitrary  sovereign,  whose  will 
ought  to  be  disobeyed. 

Let  this  truth  then  be  imbedded  in  the 
very  foundation  of  our  heart's  creed.  Let  it 
become  a  first  principle,  as  indeed  it  is,  of 
the  oracles  of  God.  Let  it  become  a  first 
principle  in  our  mental  and  spiritual  habits 
— an  axiomatic,  intuitive  belief.  Let  it 
imbue  our  minds,  and  energize  our  wills,  and 
give  sovereignty  to  our  conscience,  and  im- 
part tone  and  temper  to  our  whole  lives. 

Gird  on  thy  sword,  victorious  Prince, 

Ride  with  majestic  sway; 
Thy  terror  shall  strike  through  thy  foes, 

And  make  the  world  obey. 

Thy  throne,  0  God,  for  ever  stands. 

Thy  word  of  grace  shall  prove 
A  peaceful  sceptre  in  thy  hands. 

To  rule  the  world  by  love. 

DIFFICULTIES   ARE    NO   EXCUSE    FOR   DISOBEDIENCE. 

A  thousand  difiicultjes  will  arise  to  inter- 
fere with  and  prevent  a  willing  obedience  to 
the  heavenly  calling;  but  this  is  God's  will, 


OF  MISSIONS.  85 

that  the  heathen  should  be  given  to  Christ, 
and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  as  his 
possession.  A  thousand  questions  and  con- 
troversies may  be  originated  about  the  hea- 
then— their  responsibility,  character,  and 
doom — but  this  is  God's  will.  A  thousand 
claims  of  home,  and  family,  and  church,  and 
country,  will  demand  your  time,  your  purse, 
your  interest,  and  zeal,  and  sacrifice;  but 
none  of  these  claims,  nor  all  combined,  can 
interfere  with  the  will  and  decree  of  God, 
that  the  heathen  shall  be  given  to  Christ  for 
his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of 
the  earth  for  his  possession,  nor  with  the 
divine  requirement,  that  this  decree  shall  be 
carried  into  effect  by  Christ's  believing  and 
obedient  people. 

There  can  therefore  be  no  truth,  no  faith, 
no  obedience,  no  safety,  no  hope,  no  pros- 
perity, no  full  and  final  recompense,  where 
the  will  of  self,  or  family,  or  friends,  or 
church,  or  country,  is  allowed  to  interfere 
with  and  set  aside  the  will  and  command  of 
God,  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature 
8* 


86 

until  the  heathen  shall  be  given  to  Christ, 
and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his 
possession. 

And  as  a  man  may  even  be  finally  saved, 
and  yet  "suffer  loss,"  and  behold  his  many 
selfish  hopes  and  schemes  burnt  up  and 
destroyed,  and  he  himself  only  saved  so  as 
by  fire,  to  become  one  of  the  least  in  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  reap  sparingly,  and 
shine  faintly  in  the  firmament  of  heaven ; 
therefore,  let  every  minister,  elder,  and 
church-member  lay  it  to  heart,  that  his 
faith,  if  genuine,  must  be  the  spirit  of  mis- 
sions; that  his  obedience,  if  sincere,  must  be 
the  life  of  missions;  and  that  in  all  he  does, 
for  self,  or  home,  or  church,  or  country,  he 
must  aim  supremely  at  what  is  the  supreme 
will  and  decree  of  God,  that  the  heathen 
may  be  given  to  Christ  for  his  inheritance, 
and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his 
possession. 

Christ's  everlasting  messengers, 

Still  from  the  opening  skies, 
Traverse  the  earth  like  showers  of  light, 

And  sow  heaven's  mysteries. 


OF  MISSIONS.  81 

The  things  discerned  by  seers  of  old, 

Behind  the  shadowy  screen, 
In  the  full  day  are  now  beheld, 

With  not  a  veil  between. 

The  things  which  God  as  man  hath  done, 

Which  man  as  God  hath  done, 
Speak  ye,  as  God  commands,  to  all 

Who  see  the  circling  sun. 

Though  far  in  space  and  clime  apart, 

One  Spirit  sways  you  all; 
Through  whom  in  heaven's  blest  characters, 

Men  hear  the  living  call. 

Glory  to  God,  the  Three  in  One, 

All  glory  be  to  thee, 
Who  from  their  darkness  callest  men, 

Thy  glorious  light  to  see.* 


GOD  S   DECREED    WILL    MAKES   FAILURE    IMPOSSIBLE. 

God's  decree  is  the  law  of  this  spiritual 
kingdom.  It  combines  his  will  and  his 
power.  It  is  his  expressed  will,  and  his  ex- 
erted power.  It  is,  therefore,  to  this  spirit- 
ual .  kingdom  what  the  laws  of  gravitation, 
attraction,  and  repulsion  are  to  his  physical 

*  Ancient  Hymn. 


88  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

kingdom.  It  is  universal,  invariable,  funda- 
mental. It  is  necessary.  It  excludes  all 
ideas  of  contingency,  irregularity,  and 
caprice.  It  is  independent,  and  far  above 
all  human  interference,  or  Satanic  hin- 
derance.  God  has  willed  that  it  shall  be  so, 
and  God's  power  secures  that  it  will  be  so. 
It  is  the  fixed  and  unchangeable  law  of  the 
kingdom;  and  the  history  of  the  kingdom, 
and  the  innumerable  multitude  already  re- 
deemed by  it  from  among  men,  and  the  mil- 
lions now  passing  through  it  to  the  kingdom 
of  heaven,  evince  the  presence  of  God's  un- 
alterable will,  and  irresistible  power. 

This  kingdom  then  must  universally  ex- 
tend just  as  certainly  as  the  sun  must  con- 
tinue to  rise  and  set,  and  in  its  course 
irradiate  with  its  light,  and  enliven  with  its 
heat,  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  The  one 
is  the  type,  and  emblem,  and  pledge  of  the 
other. 

Arm  of  the  Lord,  awake,  awake ! 

Put  on  thy  strength ^ — the  nations  shake ! 
And  let  the  world,  adoring,  see 

Triumphs  of  mercy  wrought  by  thee. 


OF   MISSIONS.  89 

Say  to  the  heathen  from  thy  throne 

"I  am  Jehovah — God  alone!" 
Thy  voice  their  idols  shall  confound, 

And  cast  their  altars  to  the  ground. 

No  more  let  human  blood  be  spilt — 

Vain  sacrifice  for  human  guilt! 
But  to  each  conscience  be  applied 

The  blood  that  flowed  from  Jesus'  side. 

Arm  of  the  Lord,  thy  power  extend; 

Let  Mahomet's  impostures  end; 
Break  superstition's  Papal  chain, 

And  the  proud  scoffer's  rage  restrain. 

Let  Zion's  time  of  favour  come ; 

0  bring  the  tribes  of  Israel  home : 
And  let  our  wondering  eyes  behold 

Gentiles  and  Jews  in  Christ's  one  fold. 

Almighty  God,  thy  grace  proclaim, 

In  every  land  of  every  name; 
Let  adverse  powers  before  thee  fall. 

And  crown  the  Saviour  Lord  of  all. 


god's  plan  in  carrying  out  his  decree  not  man's 
plan,  but  the  best  plan,  as  it  makes  obedience 

DEPEND  SOLELY  ON  GOD's  WILL. 

But  God's  will  as  revealed  does  not  teach, 
nor  lead  us  to  expect,  that  this  universality 
of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  shall  be  immediate, 


90  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

uniform,  and  constant.  It  does  not  define 
the  time  of  this  restitution  of  all  parts  of 
this  apostate  world.  It  does  not  exclude 
variations  and  vicissitudes  in  its  outward 
visible  development.  It  does  not  render 
defeats  less  possible  than  triumphs,  nor 
retreats  and  retrograde  movements  less  likely 
than  onward  progress  and  victorious  enter- 
prises. On  the  contrary,  God  revealed  as 
what  would  certainly  transpire,  all  the  muta- 
tions, the  decline,  and  fall,  and  rising  again 
— all  the  disasters  and  defeats  that  have 
actually  taken  place.  The  present  aspect 
and  condition,  the  present  dangers  and 
duties  of  the  church;  the  diflQculties  that 
exist  within  her  from  wordliness,  and  secta- 
rianism, and  error;  and  the  difficulties  that 
environ  her  on  every  side,  from  false  Chris- 
tianity, false  religions,  and  temporal  dynas- 
ties— these  are  all  distinctly  revealed.  They 
are  all  depicted  by  the  infallible  pen  of 
prophetic  inspiration.  They  are,  therefore, 
a  confirmation  of  the  decree  and  will  of  God. 
They  are  in  accordance  with  it,  and  indeed 
a  part  of  it.      And  instead,   therefore,   of 


OF   MISSIONS.  91 

being  any  ground  for  unbelief,  and  disobe- 
dience, they  are  an  additional  ground  for 
faith,  and  a  powerful  motive  to  obedience. 
They  do  not  excuse,  they  condemn  indiffer- 
ence. They  make  neutrality  treason,  and 
inactivity  unfaithful  stewardship — a  base 
betrayal  of  our  solemn  trust,  and  of  our 
plain  and  undeniable  obligations. 

The  law  of  the  church  is  fixed.  The 
instrumentality  of  the  church  is  fixed.  The 
duty  of  every  Christian  man  and  woman  is 
fixed.  The  gospel  is  in  our  hands,  and  it  is 
there  that  it  may  be  put  into  the  hands  of 
every  creature.  The  inheritance  has  been 
conveyed  to  us,  and  it  is  ours  in  trust  to  be 
imparted  by  us  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth,  until  they  too  shall  become  Christ's 
possession,  and  those  now  heathen  shall 
also  have  become  his  inheritance. 

This  then  is  our  duty  as  plainly  as  the 
result  is  God's  will  and  decree.  Our  agency 
is  as  plainly  God's  appointed  means  for  the 
fulfilment  of  his  decree,  as  that  decree 
is  plainly  revealed  and  visibly  manifested. 
Duty  is  ours,  and  the  event  is  God's.     Obe- 


92  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

dience  is  ours,  and  success  and  recompense 
are  the  Lord's.  And  -whatever  may  be  the 
result  of  our  labours,  and  whatever  may  be 
the  failure  or  success  of  missions  in  our  day, 
of  one  thing  the  word  and  will  of  God 
assures  us,  and  that  is,  that  the  gospel  will 
yet  be  preached  in  all  the  world;  and  that 
every  effort,  every  prayer,  every  sacrifice  of 
money,  of  children,  of  time,  of  influence,  and 
of  talents,  for  the  furtherance  of  this  glorious 
consummation,  will  accomplish  some  present 
good;  will  encourage  and  stimulate  others 
by  example;  will  feed  and  fan  the  flame  of 
piety  at  home,  in  our  hearts,  and  homes, 
and  churches;  will  sow  the  seed  of  future 
exertions  and  success;  and  will  entail  a 
blessed  recompense  in  the  world  of  light 
and  glory. 

Give  to  the  winds  thy  fears, 

Hope,  and  be  undismayed; 
God  hears  thy  sighs,  and  counts  thy  tears, 

God  shall  lift  up  thy  head. 

Through  waves,  and  clouds,  and  storms. 

He  gently  clears  the  way: 
Wait  thou  his  time ;  so  shall  this  night 

Soon  end  in  joyous  day. 


OF   MISSIONS.  93 

Still  heavy  is  thy  heart? 

Still  sink  thy  spirits  down? 
Cast  oflF  the  weight,  let  fear  depart, 

And  every  care  be  gone. 

What  though  thou  rulest  not? 

Yet  heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell 
Proclaim  God  sitteth  on  the  throne, 

And  ruleth  all  things  well. 

Leave  to  his  sovereign  sway, 

To  choose  and  to  command; 
So  shalt  thou,  wondering,  own  his  way, 

How  wise,  how  good  his  hand! 

Far,  far  above  thy  thought. 

His  counsel  shall  appear. 
When  fully  he  the  work  hath  wrought, 

That  caused  thy  needless  fear. 

And  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  just  as  cer- 
tain that  every  effort  that  might  be  made  to 
accomplish  this  will  and  decree  of  God, 
but  which  is  withheld;  every  cold  and  selfish 
preference  of  home,  and  every  refusal  to 
live  and  labour  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world,  will  tend  to  spiritual  poverty  both 
here  and  hereafter,  and  bring  down  upon  us 
the  fearful  curse,  "Curse  ye  Meroz,  curse 
the  inhabitants  thereof,  because  they  came 
9 


94  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 


^ 


not  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord — to  the  help 
of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty." 

God's  will  and  power  are  the  only  forces 
in  nature,  in  providence,  and  in  the  king- 
dom of  grace.  "Everywhere  there  is  pre- 
sent God  acting,  not  at  random,  but  by  law, 
on  principle,  and  with  fixed  design.  There 
is  a  plan  in  his  working,  a  distinct,  and  by 
us  undiscoverable  plan  based  on  law,  and 
an  extended  system  of  laws.  He  sees  for- 
ward, and  his  far-seeing  eye  connects  the 
end  with  the  beginning.  His  agency  is  a 
vast,  complicated,  but  harmonious  whole, 
throughout  which  we  trace  not  only  one 
mighty  hand,  but  one  unerring  mind." 

The  ultimate  and  universal  diffusion  of 
the  gospel,  and  the  extension  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  are  em- 
braced in  God's  plan,  based  on  God's  decree, 
and  carried  forward  by  his  power  and 
wisdom,  in  his  own  way,  and  in  accordance 
with  his  own  manifold  wisdom  and  purposes. 
But  what  these  ways  are,  and  what  in  any 
circumstances  may  best  advance  his  ends, 
and  secure  the  greatest  good,  we  are  alto- 


OF   MISSIONS.  95 

gether  incapable  of  determining.  "We  do 
not,"  says  Butler,  "know  what  we  are  about 
when  we  endeavour  to  promote  the  good  of 
mankind  in  any  ways  but  those  which  he  has 
directed."  Our  short  and  limited  views,  our 
narrow  prejudices,  and  selfish  feelings,  ren- 
der us  incapable  of  acting  beyond  the  known 
will  of  God.  On  this  rest  all  our  obliga- 
tions, and  by  this  alone  are  we  guided — like 
soldiers  in  the  midst  of  a  wide  spread  battle, 
or  labourers  in  some  extensive  building,  to 
that  course  of  action  which  will  best  secure 
the  designed  result. 

God  moves  in  a  mysterious  may, 

His  wonders  to  perform; 
He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

Deep  in  unfathomable  mines 

Of  never-failing  skill, 
He  treasures  up  his  bright  designs, 

And  works  his  sovereign  will. 

His  purposes  will  ripen  fast, 

Unfolding  every  hour ; 
The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste. 

But  sweet  will  be  the  flower. 


96  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 

And  scan  his  work  in  vain; 
God  is  his  own  interpreter, 

And  he  will  make  it  plain. 

It  is,  therefore,  unspeakable  presumption 
in  any  man  to  determine  that  God's  plan 
for  the  UNIVERSAL  diffusion  of  the  gospel 
can  be  best  secured  by  his  devoting  his  ener- 
gies to  the  promotion  of  personal,  local,  or 
national  evangelization,  to  the  exclusion  of 
that  which  is  universal,  and  which  aims  at 
giving  the  heathen  to  Christ  for  his  inherit- 
ance, and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  his  possession.  This  latter  alone  is 
God's  plan,  God's  will,  God's  command,  and 
God's  way  of  best  securing  his  blessing  on 
all  other  efforts.  And  in  order,  therefore, 
to  manifest  the  highest  exercise  of  faith  and 
obedience,  as  good  soldiers  and  efficient 
co-workers  of  God,  we  must,  while  strenu- 
ously labouring  to  promote  every  grace  in 
our  own  hearts,  and  pure  and  undefiled  reli- 
gion in  our  families,  in  our  church,  and 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our 
whole  country,  we  must  fight  manfully,  and 


OF   MISSIONS.  97 

labour  diligently,  to  do  good  unto  all  men, 
and  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature. 
*' There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth, 
and  there  is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is 
meet,  and  it  tendeth  to  poverty."  "  Go  ye 
into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature," — and  then  in  so  doing — 
"lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world." 


WILL,    DECREE,    AND    CHURCH. 

But  here  it  will  be  objected,  that  after  all, 
this  will  and  decree  of  God  has  been  very 
partially  fulfilled  at  any  time,  or  in  any 
country.  For  while  the  converts  gathered 
into  the  kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth,  and  in 
heaven — including  among  the  latter  the 
whole  number  of  those  who  have  passed  from 
earth  in  a  state  of  infancy,  idiocy,  and  every 
other  form  of  irresponsible  personal  agency 
— have  been  innumerable,  still  the  greater 
number  of  the  adult  population  of  the  globe 
9* 


9S  OBEDIENCE,   THE.  LIFE 

have  never  given  evidence  of  any  such  spi- 
ritual change. 

Now  this  objection  would  have  great  weight 
if  God's  decree  implied  the  immediate  and 
universal  establishment  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
or  the  universal  conversion  and  salvation  of 
all  who  are  subjected  to  Christ.  But  it  im- 
plies neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  "The 
kingdom  of  God,  the  King  himself  has 
declared,  is  not  a  fabric,  but  a  growth;  its 
beginning  is  a  little  seed,  which  a  bird  might 
easily  devour;  its  end  is  a  waving  tree,  in 
whose  branches  the  birds  of  the  air  may 
come  flocking  to  build  their  nests.  Such  is 
the  life  of  the  church  on  earth;  finished  and 
perfect  in  its  divine  beginning,  but  only  as  a 
germ  is  perfect,  not  to  be  finished  and  per- 
fect, as  a  tree  is  perfect,  till  human  history 
has  run  its  entire  course,  and  the  trumpet 
of  the  archangel  announces  the  final  judg- 
ment. Twelve  men  were  the  beginning  of  a 
kingdom,  which  has  gone  victoriously  down 
the  ages,  and  over  the  continents,  and 
amongst  the  races  of  men,  slowly  but  surely 
subduing  all  things  to  itself,  till  now,  if  Cel- 


OF  MISSIONS.  99 

BUS  himself,  who  once  derided  the  idea  of  a 

f 
universal  religion,  could  reappear  in  history, 

he  would  have  to  confess  that  the  standard 
of  the  cross  bids  fair  to  be  planted,  sooner  or 
later,  over  all  the  earth." 

The  decree  and  the  kingdom  both  imply 
enemies  who  shall  not  submit,  but  shall  be 
destroyed.  Rebellious  opposers  are  referred 
to  in  this  decree  as  plainly  as  gracious  sub- 
jects. The  heathen  shall  rage.  The  kings 
of  the  earth  shall  set  themselves  against 
God's  anointed.  The  people  shall  imagine  a 
vain  thing.  The  great  mass  of  any  popula- 
tion may  take  counsel  together.  They  may 
break  asunder  the  bands  with  which  God 
would  in  mercy  bind  them,  and  cast  away 
the  cords  with  which  Christ  in  love  would 
draw  their  reluctant  hearts.  But  he  that 
sitteth  in  the  heavens  shall  laugh.  The 
Lord  shall  have  them  in  derision.  Then 
shall  he  speak  unto  them  in  his  wrath,  and 
vex  them  in  his  sore  displeasure.  He  will 
break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron.  He  will 
dash  them  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel. 
All  that  are  incensed  against  him  shall  be 


100  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

ashamed.  Unto  him  every  knee  shall  bow, 
every  tongue  shall  swear,  and  his  enemies 
become  his  footstool. 

The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness 
thereof.  God  has  given  to  Christ  *^  power 
over  all  flesh,  that  he  should  give  eternal 
life  to  as  many  as  he  has  given  him."  "And 
he  shall  judge  among  the  nations,  and  shall 
rebuke  many  people."  Nations  and  kings  are, 
therefore,  under  Christ's  dominion,  though 
they  may  remain  enemies  to  his  kingdom, 
and  strangers  to  his  salvation.  They  all 
enter  into  the  drama,  and  conspire  to  work 
out  the  glorious  consummation.  So  runs  the 
decree:  "Be  wise  now  therefore,  0  ye  kings; 
be  instructed,  ye  judges  of  the  earth.  Serve 
the  Lord  with  fear,  and  rejoice  with  tremb- 
ling. Kiss  the  Son,  lest  he  be  angry,  and 
ye  perish  from  the  way,  when  his  wrath  is 
kindled  but  a  little.  Blessed  are  all  they 
that  put  their  trust  in  him." 

But  does  history  confirm  such  prophecy? 
do  its  facts  sustain  the  decree?  And  is 
the  course  of  time  resolvable  into  any  plan, 
and  consistent  with  any  ultimate  purpose  of 


OF   MISSIONS.  101 

the  universal  triumph  of  Christ's  kingdom? 
Who  can  doubt  it?  "If  this  world,"  as  it 
has  been  eloquently  said,*  "does  not  exist 
for  purposes  of  the  church,  then  it  exists  by 
accident  and  at  random.  If  the  history  of 
this  world  be  not  the  history  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  the  Redeemer,  then  it  is  but  the 
history  of  confusion,  and  chaos,  and  utter 
nothingness.  Bring  to  mind  some  of  the 
prominent  facts  in  this  matter:  First,  You 
have  God's  own  promise  to  his  church  ages 
on  ages  ago:  The  nation  and  hingdom  that 
will  not  serve  thee_  shall  perish,  yea,  those 
nations  shall  he  utterly  wasted.  Trace  the 
march  of  that  church  in  the  light  of  that 
promise,  or  rather  prediction,  as  she  comes 
in  contact  with  the  successive  mighty  empires 
of  the  East  and  the  West — the  Egyptian, 
the  Assyrian,  the  Babylonian,  the  Medo- 
Persian,  the  Alexandrian,  the  Roman.  The 
office  of  each,  in  relation  to  her,  was  clearly 
indicated,  and  their  conduct  and  consequent 

*  From  a  very  profound  article  on  Prophecy  an 
Argument  for  Christianity,  in  the  Princeton  Review  for 
October,  1857,  read  after  ours  was  delivered. 


102  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

fate,  all  are  made  known  in  these  predictions, 
and  illustrated  in  parallel  lines  in  their 
history.  Egypt  was  the  nursery  and  school 
to  the  infant  church,  where  by  the  discipline 
of  centuries  a  handful  of  nomadic  shepherds 
were  to  be  transformed  into  a  nation  of 
civilized  men,  governed  by  regular  laws, 
living  in  fixed  habitations,  possessed  of  all 
those  multiform  arts,  and  habits,  and  appli- 
ances, that  should  fit  them  for  their  new 
career  in  their  own  land,  and  when  this 
office  is  discharged,  and  she  begins  to  regard 
this  people  as  her  own,  and  resist  God's 
commands  in  regard  to  them,  he  brings 
them  out  of  her  with  a  high  hand  and  out- 
stretched arm.  Assyria  he  uses  as  a  scourge 
and  a  rod  to  his  rebellious  people,  though  it 
was  not  in  the  heart  of  the  king,  nor  did  he 
think  so,  and  when  that  purpose  was  sub- 
served, the  indignation  of  God  laid  Nineveh 
in  the  grave.  Babylon  was  the  prison-house 
in  which  the  Jews  were  cured  of  their  appa- 
rently incurable  idolatry,  and  the  nation  of 
Israel  was  utterly  dissolved.  Cyrus  and  his 
dominion  were  made  the  deliverers  of  God's 


OF   MISSIONS.  103 

cliurch,  and  the  avenger  of  her  wrongs  on 
Babylon.  And  when  that  empire  had  grown 
hostile  to  the  purposes  it  was  raised  up  to 
subserve,  it  was  shattered  to  atoms  by  the 
conquering  power  of  Alexander.  His  con- 
quests in  their  turn  spread  the  Greek  lan- 
guage and  culture  over  all  the  East,  and 
prepared  the  way  for  the  diiFusion  of  the 
gospel  in  that  tongue,  wherever  Jews  were 
dispersed  that  spoke  and  read  the  Greek 
language.  To  Rome  was  assigned  the  work 
of  making  commerce  free  and  intercourse 
safe,  of  teaching  the  idea  of  law  to  a  barba- 
rian world,  of  binding  together  discordant 
nationalities  and  races  in  one  vast  dominion, 
and  affording  safe  conduct  for  the  preachers 
of  the  religion  of  Christ  through  §,11  the 
Roman  world.  And  when  she  was  no  longer 
needed  for  this  purpose,  when  her  civilization 
became  effeminate  and  corrupt,  and  her  reli- 
gion superstitious,  she  went  down  before  the 
hardy  nations  from  the  woods  of  Germany. 
Thus  one  by  one  were  these  great  empires 
raised  up  to  minister,  in  their  several  ways, 
to  God's  church,  and  as  they  turned  against 


104  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

her,  and  became  unfit  to  advance  her  in- 
terests, were  laid  in  the  grave  by  a  resistless 
hand. 

"Look  at  the  space  covered  by  these  ful- 
filled predictions — Egypt,  Assyria,  Babylon, 
the  empire  of  Cyrus,  and  of  Alexander  and 
Rome,  Judea  and  its  peculiar  people,  with 
all  their  strange,  deathless  history,  and  all 
the  lands  and  people  bordering  upon  that 
land;  and  since  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 
God,  the  church  in  all  lands,  and  that  great 
usurpation,  or  parody  of  the  church,  the 
shadow  it  should  cast  on  the  depravity  of 
man,  and  the  malignity  of  the  Devil.  Take 
these  from  the  map  of  the  world,  and  what 
would  be  left?  Take  these  from  human 
history,  and  what  would  history  be?  It  is 
most  manifest  that  the  central  current  of 
human  history  has  flowed  over  these  lands, 
and  through  these  channels  of  national  life. 
Then  the  broad,  stupendous  fact  is,  that  all 
these  vast  affairs  have  been  moulded  and 
controlled  by  the  spirit  and  power  of  pro- 
phecy. In  the  path  of  that  prophecy  lie  the 
graves  of  these  greatest  of  earthly  powers  and 


OF   MISSIONS.  105 

dominions,  speaking  in  eloquent  death  and 
ruin  to  all  coming  generations.  It  is  the 
march  of  God  through  the  ages  we  see  thus 
opened  before  our  eyes,  and  the  graves  of 
nations,  and  the  tombs  of  cities  are  the 
luminous  steps  of  his  course  and  his  judg- 
ments, where  the  light  of  his  presence  still 
lingers.  What  is  a  man,  a  city,  a  nation,  in 
the  presence  of  such  a  God,  and  in  the  way 
of  his  purposes?  What  is  there  that  stands 
safe,  and  has  charter  to  life  and  continuance 
in  the  coming  ages,  but  his  church,  and 
whatsoever  shall  minister  to  her  glory  and 
expansion?  Who  is  safe  but  within  her? 
From  God  she  came — to  heaven  she  is 
bound — like  the  ark  of  Noah,  bearing  all  of 
life  that  is  to  live  from  the  old  world  to  the 
new." 

Great  God,  wliose  universal  sway 
The  known  and  unknown  worlds  obey, 
Now  give  the  kingdom  to  thy  Son; 
Extend  his  power,  exalt  his  throne. 

Thy  sceptre  well  becomes  his  hands ; 
All  heaven  submits  to  his  commands; 
His  justice  will  avenge  the  poor, 
And  pride  and  rage  prevail  no  more. 

10 


106 


With  power  he  vindicates  the  just, 
And  treads  the  oppressor  in  the  dust; 
His  worship  and  his  fear  shall  last, 
'Till  hours,  and  years,  and  time  be  past. 

As  rain  on  meadows  newly  mown, 
So  shall  he  send  his  influence  down; 
His  grace  on  fainting  souls  distils, 
Like  heavenly  dew  on  thirsty  hills. 

The  heathen  lands,  that  lie  beneath 
The  shades  of  overspreading  death, 
Ptevive  at  his  first  dawning  light; 
And  deserts  blossom  at  the  sight. 

The  saints  shall  flourish  in  his  days, 
Dressed  in  the  robes  of  joy  and  praise; 
Peace,  like  a  river,  from  his  throne 
Shall  flow  to  nations  yet  unknown. 

THE  SUBLIMITY  AND  ETERNAL  RECOMPENSE  OF  IMPLICIT 
FAITH  AND  OBEDIENCE  TO  GOD's  WILL,  AND  OF 
LABOURING  FOR  MISSIONS  UNDER  GREAT  DISCOURAGE- 
MENTS. 

Of  all  possible  exercises  of  faith,  implicit 
faith  in  this  decree  of  God,  and  in  this  com- 
mission of  his  church,  is  the  most  noble, 
because  the  objects  of  it,  the  heathen  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  are  invisible 
— out  of  sight — distant — unworthy  in  them- 


OF   MISSIONS.  107 

selves  considered — indifferent,  and  even  op- 
posed to  the  requisitions  and  character  en- 
joined by  the  gospel.  It  is  written,  "blessed 
are  they  who,  having  not  seen,  nevertheless 
believe."  And  Abraham  is  the  father  and 
pattern  of  all  believers,  because  he  obeyed, 
and  he  went  out  not  knowing  whither  he 
went.  He  hoped  against  hope.  Therefore 
sprung  there  of  one,  and  him  as  good  as 
dead,  as  many  as  the  stars  of  the  sky  in 
multitude,  and  as  the  sand  which  is  by  the 
seashore  innumerable. 

Of  all  the  manifestations  of  such  implicit 
obedience  now  possible  to  the  believer,  a 
faithful,  persevering,  and  zealous  compliance 
with  this  will  of  God  is  the  most  grateful 
and  emphatic  manifestation  of  the  spirit  and 
temper  of  a  loving  child,  a  devoted  servant, 
a  loyal  subject,  and  a  valiant  and  successful 
soldier.  And  the  reasons  are  these ;  because 
this  obedience  is  rendered  against  the  inter- 
posing claims  of  self,  and  kindred,  and  home, 
and  church,  and  country;  because  it  is  exhi- 
bited in  the  midst  of  unbelieving  and  per- 
haps  opposing    friends,    and    of  too   many 


108  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

unbelieving  and  lukewarm  professors  of  reli- 
gion. "Ye  are  my  friends  if  ye  do  whatso- 
ever I  command  you,"  and  in 

"That  great,  that  awful  day, 
When  man  to  judgment  wakes  from  clay," 

he  that,  in  this  life,  hath  forsaken  father  or 
mother,  or  houses,  or  lands,  or  fortune,  or 
the  favour  of  men;  yea,  who  has  given  even 
a  cup  of  cold  water  for  Christ's  sake  and 
the  gospel's,  shall  receive  an  hundredfold, 
and  be  encircled  with  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, amidst  the  welcoming  plaudit  of  his 
approving  King  and  Judge.  "  Hath  the  Lord 
as  great  delight  in  burnt-offerings  and  sacri- 
fices, as  in  obeying  the  voice  of  the  Lord? 
Behold,  to  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice,  and 
to  hearken  than  the  fat  of  rams.  For  rebeU 
lion  is  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft,  and  stubborn- 
ness is  as  iniquity  and  idolatry.  Because 
thou  hast  rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord,  he 
hath  also  rejected  thee." 

♦'The  man  that  offers  humble  praise, 

Declares  my  glory  best ; 
And  those  that  tread  my  holy  ways, 
Shall  my  salvation  taste." 


OF   MISSIONS.  109 

And  surelj  if  there  is  under  heaven  a 
spectacle  that  should  stir  all  the  anxieties 
and  sympathies  of  a  believer,  it  is  that  of  a 
world  which  has  been  ransomed  by  blood- 
shedding,  but  which,  nevertheless,  is  over- 
spread with  impiety  and  infidelity.  The 
Christian  is  the  man  of  loyalty  and  upright- 
ness forced  to  dwell  in  the  assemblings  of 
traitors.  With  a  heart  that  beats  true  to  the 
King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,  he  must 
tarry  among  those  who  have  thrown  off  alle- 
giance. On  all  sides  he  must  hear  the  plot- 
tings  of  treason,  and  behold  the  actings  of 
rebellion,  and  the  revelries  and  orgies  of 
debruted  outcasts.  And  can  he  fail  to 
be  wrought  up  to  a  longing  effort  to  arrest, 
in  some  degree,  the  march  of  anarchy,  and 
to  bring  beneath  the  sceptre  of  righteous- 
ness this  revolted,  and  ruined  population? 
Can  he  be  an  indifferent  and  cold-hearted 
spectator  of  the  despite  done  to  God's 
authority,  and  laws,  and  to  the  ignominy 
cast  upon  God's  infinitely  great  and  gra- 
cious Son;  and  shall  there  be  no  throbbing 
of  spirit,  and  no  yearning  of  mind,  over 
10* 


110  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

millions  of  his  race,  who,  though  redeemed 
by  the  propitiation  of  Christ,  are  living  and 
dying  without  God  and  without  hope  in  the 
world?  0  nol'''  "We  do  but  reason  from 
the  most  invariable  and  well-known  princi- 
ples of  our  nature,  when  we  argue  that,  as  a 
loyal  and  loving  subject  of  Christ,  the 
believer  must  glow  with  righteous  indignation 
at  the  bold  insults  offered  to  his  Lord,  and 
long  to  bend  every  faculty  and  power  to  the 
diminishing  the  world's  wretchedness  by 
overcoming  its  rebellion." 

But  to  do  this  alone,  uncheered  and  unap- 
plauded;  to  do  this  while  others  do  it  not; 
to  be  faithful  among  the  faithless  found ;  to 
be  zealous  while  others  are  lukewarm ;  to  be 
self-denying  while  others  seek  their  own 
things;  to  be  self-sacrificing  while  others 
live  to  please  only  themselves;  to  persevere 
when  others  go  back,  cowardly,  and  faint- 
hearted; to  follow  Christ's  standard  through 
evil  and  through  good  report,  through  defeat 
and  victory;  to  pursue  the  routed  hosts  of 
the  enemy,  *' faint,  yet  still   pursuing;"  to 

*  Modified  from  a  passage  in  Melville. 


OF  MISSIONS.  Ill 

appear  as  the  champions  of  God's  cause, 
when  that  cause  is  on  the  point  of  being 
universally  deserted;  to  take  joyfully  the 
spoiling  of  goods,  and  count  not  life  itself 
dear  for  Christ's  sake — this  truly  is  to  glory 
in  the  cross,  to  have  fellowship  with  Christ 
in  his  suffering,  and  in  his  obedience  even 
unto  death,  and  in  his  exaltation  to  glory. 

Stand  up,  and  bless  the  Lord, 

Ye  people  of  his  choice; 
Stand  up,  and  bless  the  Lord  your  God, 

With  heart,  and  soul,  and  voice. 

Though  high  above  all  praise, 

Above  all  blessing  high, 
Who  would  not  fear  his  holy  name, 

And  laud  and  magnify  ? 

0 !  for  the  living  flame, 

From  his  own  altar  brought. 
To  touch  our  lips,  our  minds  inspire. 

And  wing  to  heaven  our  thought! 

God  is  our  strength  and  song, 
And  his  salvation  ours; 
.  Then  be  his  love  in  Christ  proclaimed, 
With  all  our  ransomed  powers. 

Stand  up,  and  bless  the  Lord, 

The  Lord  your  God  adore ; 
Stand  up,  and  bless  his  glorious  name, 

Henceforth  for  evermore. 


112 

The  promise  runs  thus:  "Them  that  hon- 
our me,  I  will  honour.  And  to  him  that 
is  faithful  unto  death,  I  will  give  a  crown  of 
life.  And  thej  that  are  wise  and  faithful 
in  winning  souls  to  the  Redeemer,  shall  shine 
as  the  stars  in  heaven  for  ever  and  ever." 
And  with  the  heart  given  to  Christ,  fired 
with  his  love,  and  fixed  in  his  promises,  and 
animated  with  the  assurance  of  heaven,  there 
should  be  a  feeling  in  every  Christian  bosom, 
that  times  in  which  Christ's  cause  and  king- 
dom are  the  most  disastrously  impeded,  are 
the  very  times  in  which  zeal  should  be  warm- 
est, and  our  sacrifices  greatest.  Then  it  is 
that  champions  are  most  needed,  and  that 
victory  will  be  most  triumphant.  Then 
it  is  of  all  other  times,  that  faith  must 
prove  itself  the  principle  of  missions,  and 
obedience  the  life  of  missions;  and  that 
gathering  victory  from  defeat,  and  confidence 
from  despair,  we  exultingly  exclaim:  "God 
is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present 
help  in  trouble:  therefore  will  not  we  fear, 
though  the  earth  be  removed,  and  though 
the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst  of 


OF   MISSIONS.  113 

the  sea;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and 
be  troubled,  though  the  mountains  shake 
with  the  swelling  thereof.  Selah.  There  is 
a  river,  the  streams  whereof  shall  make  glad 
the  city  of  God,  the  holy  place  of  the  taber- 
nacles of  the  Most  High.  God  is  in  the 
midst  of  her;  she  shall  not  be  moved:  God 
shall  help  her,  and  that  right  early.  The 
heathen  raged,  the  kingdoms  were  moved; 
he  uttered  his  voice,  the  earth  melted.  The 
Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us;  the  God  of  Jacob 
is  our  refuge.  Selah.  Come,  behold  the 
works  of  the  Lord,  what  desolations  he  hath 
made  in  the  earth.  He  maketh  wars  to 
cease  unto  the  end  of  the  earth;  he  breaketh 
the  bow,  and  cutteth  the  spear  in  sunder;  he 
burneth  the  chariot  in  the  fire.  Be  still,  and 
know  that  I  am  God;  I  will  be  exalted 
among  the  heathen,  I  will  be  exalted  in  the 
earth.  The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us;  the 
God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.     Selah. 

When  we  cannot  see  our  way, 
Let  us  trust,  and  still  obey; 
He  who  bids  us  forward  go, 
Cannot  fail  the  way  to  show. 


114  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

Though  the  sea  be  deep  and  -wide, 
Though  a  passage  seem  denied; 
Fearless  let  us  still  proceed, 
Since  the  Lord  vouchsafes  to  lead. 

Though  it  seems  the  gloom  of  night, 
Though  we  see  no  ray  of  light; 
Since  the  Lord  himself  is  there, 
'Tis  not  meet  that  we  should  fear. 

Night  with  him  is  never  night, 
"Where  he  is,  there  all  is  light; 
When  he  calls  us,  why  delay  ? 
They  are  happy  who  obey. 

Be  it  ours,  then,  while  we're  here, 
Him  to  follow  without  fear! 
Where  he  calls  us,  there  to  go. 
What  he  bids  us,  that  to  do. 


THE    APPEAL — AFRICA — INDIA — AND    THEIR    MARTYRS. 

This  cause  is  the  cause  of  God  against  sin 
and  Satan.  God  is  our  helper,  and  Christ, 
who  is  our  king,  is  also  our  leader  and  com- 
mander. Like  David,  his  type  and  figure, 
he  stands  not  idly  by.  He  will  not  be  a 
spectator  merely.  He  is  the  Captain  of  our 
salvation.  He  leads  the  columns  and  directs 
the  movements  of  his  sacramental  host.     He 


OF   MISSIONS.  115 

is  Still  the  "captain  of  the  host  of  the  Lord," 
as  when  he  revealed  himself  to  Joshua;  and 
his  presence  is  still  power  and  victory.  His 
voice  is  heard  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
shouting,  "Come  after  me,"  "Follow  me." 
His  sword,  which  is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit, 
flashes  bright  beams  of  light  to  his  friends, 
and  of  terror  to  his  enemies.  And  his  ban- 
ner "  woven  of  the  precious  fabric  of  love," 
inscribed  with  the  symbol  of  the  dove,  and 
having  for  its  motto  "peace  on  earth,  and 
good  will  to  men,"  is  that  sign  under  which 
none  ever  marched  to  dishonour  and  defeat. 
The  cause  may  be  driven  back,  but  not 
destroyed.  It  may  be  so  assailed  in  one 
point,  as  even  to  fall  back  and  become  in- 
volved in  confusion  and  rout.  Satan  may 
gain  temporary  and  great  advantage  as  now 
in  India,  by  the  explosion  of  his  long-ma- 
tured plans,  and  his  magazines  of  dreadful 
wrath.  He  may  even  appear  to  reign  in 
undisturbed  triumph  as  he  does  upon  the 
ruins  of  buried  Christianity  in  Africa,  and  in 
the  East.  Eut  that  buried  Christianity  shall 
yet  be  raised  to  a  glorious  resurrection.    God 


116  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

has  not  left  himself  without  witnesses  to  his 
truth  and  faithfulness.  He  has  not  forgot- 
ten his  covenant.  The  last  remains  of  mar- 
tyred saints  lie  huried  in  the  soil  of  India  and 
of  Africa,  and  of  Asia  Minor — lands  planted 
and  harvested  by  Apostolic  missionaries — 
pledges  of  their  future  restoration,  seeds  of 
a  future  harvest,  and  seals  of  an  everlasting 
covenant.  Like  withered  trunks  and  dis- 
membered branches  of  the  tree  of  life,  these 
long  forgotten  witnesses  shall,  with  the  scent 
of  living  water,  and  the  dew  of  divine  grace, 
live  and  flourish  again  in  immortal  vigour. 
Look  we  to  Africa !     There 

The  lions  prowl  around,  their  graves  to  guard, 

And  Moslem  prayers  profane 
At  morn  and  eve  come  sounding:  yet  unscared 

The  Holy  Shades  remain; 
Cyprian,  thy  chief  of  watchmen,  wise  and  bold, 

Trusting  th«  lore  of  his  own  loyal  heart, 
And  Cyprian's  Master,  as  in  age  high-souled, 

Yet  choosing  as  in  youth  the  better  part. 
There,  too,  unwearied  Austin,  thy  keen  gaze 

On  Atlas'  steep,  a  thousand  years  and  more, 
Dwells,  waiting  for  the  first  rekindling  rays. 

When  Truth  upon  the  solitary  shore 
For  the  fallen  West  may  light  his  beacon  as  of  yore. 


OF   MISSIONS.  117 

Voice  of  the  wise  of  old! 

Go  breathe  thy  thrilling  whispers  now, 
In  cells  where  learned  eyes  late  vigils  hold, 

And  teach  proud  science  where  to  veil  her  brow. 

Voice  of  Christ's  martyred  clan! 

Now  while  the  church  for  combat  arms, 
Calmly  do  thou  confirm  her  awful  ban, 

Thy  words  to  be  her  conquering,  soothing  charms. 

Voice  of  Christ's  fearless  saints! 

Ring  like  a  trump,  where  gentle  hearts 
Beat  high  for  truth,  but,  doubting,  cower  and  faint: 

Tell  them  the  hour  is  come,  and  they  must  take  their 
parts. 

Let  that  trump,  brethren,  arouse  the  Is- 
rael of  God,  while  it  shakes  with  terror  and 
dismay  the  enemies  of  the  truth.  Let  it 
assure  us  that  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us, 
and  that  these  walls  of  Jericho,  these  walls 
of  China,  these  Moslem  revolts,  these  Satanic 
outbursts  of  the  great  adversary,  who  sees 
that  he  has  but  a  short  time — shall  only  re- 
dound to  the  greater  glory  of  our  Immanuel, 
and  the  greater  triumph  of  his  saints. 

Bide  thou  thy  time! 
Watch  with  meek  eyes  the  race  of  pride  and  crime, 
Sit  in  the  gate,  and  be  the  heathen's  jest, 

11 


118  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

Smiling  and  self-possest. 
0  thou,  to  -wliom  is  pledged  a  victor's  sway, 
Bide  thou  the  victor's  day! 

Patience  is  gain; 
Wait  the  bright  Advent  that  shall  loose  thy  chain ! 
E'en  now  the  shadows  break,  and  gleams  divine 

Edge  the  dim  distant  line. 
When  thrones  are  trembling,  and  earth's  great  ones  quail, 

True  Seed!  thou  shalt  prevail! 

Are  there  not  even  now  signs  of  an  ap- 
proaching harvest?  Has  not  the  germ'  of 
many  a  seed  manifested  its  vitality  and 
sprouted  up  in  the  blade,  the  ear,  and  the 
ripened  grain,  o'er  many  a  palmy  plain. 
God's  way  is  now  most  surely  in  the  East. 
India  and  China  are  now  the  centre  of 
divine  op'erations.  God  had  made  them  a 
spectacle  to  the  world. 

The  Ark  of  God  is  in  the  field, 
Like  clouds  around  the  alien  armies  sweep ; 

Each  by  his  spear,  beneath  his  shield, 
In  cold  and  dew  the  anointed  warriors  sleep. 

And  can  it  be  thou  liest  awake. 
Sworn  watchman,  tossing  on  thy  couch  of  down, 

And  doth  thy  recreant  heart  not  ache, 
To  hear  the  sentries  round  the  leaguered  town? 


OF   MISSIONS.  119 

0,  dream  no  more  of  quiet  life, 
Care  finds  the  careless  ont;  more  wise  to  rouse, 

Thine  heart  entire  to  faith's  pure  strife ; 
So  strength  will  come,  and  glory  crown  thy  brow. 

"These  are  times,"  wrote  one  of  our  mar- 
tyred missionaries  in  her  last  letter,  "when 
we  are  all  very  near  to  God,  and  are  all 
waiting  upon  him  in  prayer,  to  see  what  he 
will  do  for  us." 

Speaking  of  a  fellow  sufferer: 

"They  knew  the  evening  before  of  the  out- 
break at  Mynpurie,  but  would  not  tell  us, 
that  we  might  have  a  quiet  night.  They 
sat  up  all  night,  watching  for  the  least  sound, 
and  would  have  sent  to  us  instantly.  She 
said  she  never  spent  happier  hours  than 
these  were ;  and  when  the  tidings  came  that 
the  danger  was  removed,  for  a  time  at  least, 
she  said  that  she  had  a  sort  of  unwilling  feel- 
ing, as  if  she  ivas  '  being  brought  back  to  the 
world,' 

"  And  now,  dear  ma,  I  have  told  you  a  long 
story.  ...  I  know  that  you  will  rejoice  with 
me  when  I  tell  you  that  my  faith  in  God's 
goodness  has  never  failed  me.     And  *I  will 


120  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

say  of  the  Lord,  he  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress,  my  God,  in  him  will  I  trust.'  And 
like  the  Psalmist,  I  am  sure  I  could  say 
most  truly  that  I  was  delivered  from  the 
*  terror  by  night.'  I  was  alarmed,  but  I 
had  no  overwhelming  fear,  certainly  not  of 
death.  I  tried  most  devoutly  to  realize  that 
perhaps  a  few  hours  might  bring  me  to  the 
end  of  life,  and  I  was  not  afraid  to  die,  if  I 
knew  my  own  heart.  I  had  a  horror  of 
seeing  violence  and  bloodshed,  and  of  the 
sufferings  of  others;  and  there  was  a  dread 
occasioned  by  uncertainty  that  was  very 
trying;  .  ;  .  but  I  was  not  so  terrified  that 
my  mind  was  distracted  from  the  contempla- 
tion of  divine  things,  God's  goodness  hither- 
to, and  the  bliss  of  heaven. 

"Since  writing  the  above,  news  has  come 
to  us  of  new  mutinies,  and  we  are  pre- 
pared to  flee  to  the  fort.  Though  they  gave 
us  a  room  where  we  could  lie  down  and  rest, 
we  could  not  think  of  sleep — who  could,  with 
a  drawn  sword  at  one's  side,  and  expecting 
every  moment  to  hear  a  cannon  sound  an 
alarm !     God  only  knows  if  this  will  reach 


OF   MISSIONS.  121 

you.  All  our  hope  is  in  him.  Heaven,  not 
this  world,  is  our  lasting  home." 

Hear  another  voice  from  the  graves  of 
these  martyred  missionaries.  It  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

"On  Tuesday,  June  9th,  we  went  down 
again,  at  an  early  hour,  to  our  house  outside 
the  fort.  Dreadful  tidings  from  all  quarters. 
Satan  is  triumphing  and  rejoicing  over  all 
the  wickedness;  but  his  reign  will  be  only 
for  a  season :  for  of  this  we  are  all  sure,  that 
He,  who  has  bruised  the  serpent's  head,  will 
be  the  conqueror.  We  believe  most  cer- 
tainly that  this  time  of  distress  is  only  a 
means  in  the  hand  of  God  for  bringing  the 
Mohammedans  and  Hindus  more  speedily  to 
the  knowledge  of  their  crucified  Saviour. 
0,  that  his  kingdom  of  peace  might  quickly 
come!" 

How  vivid  is  this  living  picture  of  the  pro- 
phecy, the  warfare,  and  the  promise ! 

When  the  ti'ue  soldiers  steal  an  hour 

To  break  the  bread  of  life, 
And  drink  the  draught  of  love  and  power, 

And  plan  the  holy  strife. 

11* 


122 

Hear  once  more  the  noble  testimony  of 
Mrs.  Freeman,  one  of  our  Christian  sisters, 
and  one  worthy  of  the  best  age  of  the  mar- 
tyrs ;  and  we  trust  hers  was  the  feeling  of  all 
the  missionaries  of  our  church.  In  imme- 
diate sight  of  appalling  danger,  she  was  en- 
abled to  write  these  ever  memorable  words: 
"Our  little  church  and  ourselves  will  be 
the  first  attacked:  but  we  are  in  God's 
hands,  and  we  know  that  he  reigns.  We 
have  no  place  to  flee  to  for  shelter,  but  under 
the  covert  of  his  wings,  and  there  we  are 
safe.  Not  but  he  may  suffer  our  bodies  to 
be  slain;  and  if  he  does,  we  know  he  has 
wise  reasons  for  it.  I  sometimes  think  our 
deaths  may  do  more  good  than  we  could  do 
in  all  our  lives;  if  so,  his  will  be  done. 
Should  I  be  called  to  lay  down  my  life,  do 
not  grieve,  dear  sisters,  that  I  came  here; 
for  most  joyfully  will  I  die  for  him  who  laid 
down  his  life  for  me."  God  be  praised  for 
this  testimony! 

But  let  us  listen  again,  and  what  do  we 
hear  ?  It  is  the  inspiring  sound  of  that  sub- 
lime argument  and  triumphant  euthanasia  of 


OF   MISSIONS.  423 

the  Apostle.  It  is  the  trump  of  the  arch- 
angel, and  the  life  and  immortality  of  the 
gospel.'  They  are  words  of  life  in  the  very 
midst  of  death.  It  is  the  Christian  mis- 
sionary reading  the  burial-service  over  him- 
self, and  a  party  of  his  doomed  brethren, 
who  then  shook  hands  with  each  other,  and 
were  immediately  shot ! 

Thus  have  perished  hundreds  of  Christian 
men  and  women,  and  thousands,  probably,  of 
native  Christians,  not  counting  their  lives 
dear  unto  them  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus.* 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hay  denies  having  heard  of  any- 
native  converts  who  had  renounced  the  faith.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Pourie,  of  the  Free  Church  Mission,  Calcutta,  in  a 
letter  to  one  of  the  missionaries  at  Madras,  gives  the 
following  deeply  interesting  and  encouraging  facts  re- 
garding the  trials  of  some  of  the  converts  of  the  Mission, 
and  their  devoted  adherence  to  Christ  amid  very  severe 
persecution  for  his  blessed  name. 

*'  We  have  had  (says  Mr.  Pourie)  some  gratifying  in- 
stances of  the  staunchness  of  our  native  converts.  At 
Allahabad,  one  of  them  employed  on  the  railway 
mounted  guard  regularly  as  a  volunteer  in  the  fort, 
and  came  down  in  the  steamer  the  other  day  as  a  sort 
of  protection  to  the  ladies.  Another,  with  his  wife  and 
two  little  children,  was  stripped  naked  by  the  mob  in 
some  of  the  villages,  and  after  being  brought  before  the 


124»  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

These  native  Christians  were,  in  many  cases, 
seized  and  tortured  to  make  them  renounce 
Christianity.  They  were  forewarned  of 
mutilation  and  death,  and  their  wives  and 

Moulvie,  who  was  leading  the  rebels  there,  he  firmly 
resisted  every  attempt  to  get  him  to  recant.  The  Moul- 
vie questioned  him  about  the  number  of  converts  he  had 
made  at  his  mission  station  (Futtehpore,)  argued  with 
him,  threatened  him  in  vain.  He  was  four  or  five  days 
in  the  stocks,  naked  in  the  blazing  sun,  with  only  a  little 
grain  and  water,  before  he  was  rescued.  His  wife,  too, 
was  equally  firm.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  con- 
verts of  our  mission  here,  but  has  been  for  many  years 
labouring  in  connection  with  our  American  Presbyterian 
brethren  in  the  Northwest,  where  he  is  widely  known 
and  much  respected  both  by  natives  and  Europeans. 
Had  it  not  been  for  his  desire  of  the  eclat  of  making 
such  a  man  embrace  Mohammedanism,  no  doubt  the 
Moulvie  would  have  killed  him  at  once,  or  allowed  the 
infuriated  rabble  to  do  so." 

We  have  also  a  very  touching  account  of  a  native 
preacher,  AValayat  Ali,  who  was  held  in  great  estima- 
tion by  the  missionaries : 

**  After  Delhi  had  been  long  vacant  by  the  death  of 
brother  Thompson,  the  brethren  there,  as  well  as  our- 
selves, felt  anxious  to  see  the  station  re-occupied,  and 
after  several  visits  we  determined  to  send  a  native 
preacher  until  a  European  missionary  was  appointed  by 
the  Home  Committee.     "Walayat  Ali  appeared  most  fit 


OF   MISSIONS.  125 

children  were  brought  before  them,  and 
threatened  with  horrors  not  to  be  mention- 
ed ;  and  all  these  evils  would  be  escaped  if 
they  would  only  read  the  Mohammedan  con- 
fer the  position,  and  was  eventually  cliosen  to  fill  it. 
When  I  asked  him  to  go,  he  hesitated  for  some  time ; 
he  knew  well  the  dangers  and  difficulties  he  should  have 
to  grapple  with,  and  the  peculiar  hatred  of  the  Moham- 
medans to  any  one  who  had  left  their  ranks,  and  he 
might  well  hesitate  before  he  undertook  such  an  arduous 
task.  When  once,  however,  the  path  of  duty  had  been 
ascertained,  he  consulted  no  more  with  flesh  and  blood, 
but  declared  to  me  his  readiness  to  go,  though  he  might 
be  called  to  lay  down  his  life  for  his  Lord  and  Saviour. 
When  he  bade  a  sorrowful  good-by  to  us  at  Chitoura 
with  his  interesting  family,  little  did  I  expect  how  soon 
he  would  be  called  to  the  presence  of  his  Lord  in  the 
martyr's  chariot  of  fire.  I  visited  him  at  Delhi  when 
other  duties  permitted,  and  often  preached  with  him  to 
large  and  attentive  crowds  of  people  in  the  Chandni 
Chouk  Bazar  and  other  great  thoroughfares,  and  I 
heard,  the  last  time  I  was  there,  that  his  influence  was 
being  felt  among  the  respectable  Mohammedans,  and 
that  one  of  the  princes  from  the  palac*  paid  him  an  oc- 
casional visit  during  the  darkness  of  the  evening.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  many  in  Delhi  who  had  failed  to 
stop  his  mouth  by  fair  argument,  were  too  ready  to  stop 
it  by  the  sword,  as  soon  as  the  dread  of  British  power 
was  removed,  and  hence  I  conclude  the  towns-people, 


126  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

fession  "  God  is  great,  and  Mahomet  is  his 
prophet,"  but  thej  steadfastly  refused,  and 
preferred  to  die.  Such  a  testimony  in  India 
is  worth  all  that  the  mission  has  cost. 

(who  knew  him,  and  not  the  sepoys  from  Meerut,  who 
could  not  know  him,)  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  insur- 
rection rushed  on  and  cut  him  down;  and  Silas,  an  eye- 
witness, who  escaped  to  Agra,  says,  that  between  every 
cut  of  the  sword  his  murderers  said,  'Now  preach  to 
us,  now  preach  to  us ;'  and  I  trust  his  innocent  blood 
will  speak  to  them,  and  remind  thenj  of  his  warnings 
and  teachings.  The  blood  of  the  martyrs  will  again,  I 
doubt  not,  be  the  seed  of  the  church,  and  a  brighter  day 
dawn  on  India.  It  is  said  his  wife,  whose  name  is 
Fatima,  and  his  daughter,  are  in  prison ;  iind  should  I 
be  spared  to  meet  them  on  my  return  to  India,  I  shall 
try  to  give  a  more  extended  account  of  our  much 
lamented  brother,  whose  two  sons  were  killed  before 
his  face.  That  these  fearful  events  may  rouse  the 
Church  to  larger  efforts  and  more  prayer  for  the  con- 
version of  India,  is  the  hope  of. 

Yours,  faithfully, 

James  Smith." 
English  Baptist  Herald,  Oct.  1857. 

CONSTANCY   OF   NATIVE    CHRISTIANS. 

The  Bombay  Guardian,  after  giving  an  account  of  an 
attack  made  on  native  Christians  lately  in  Bombay,  and 
referring  to  the  general  bitterness  felt  towards  them  at 


OF   MISSIONS.  127 

But  before  leaving  these  scenes  of  horror, 
let  us  turn  our  eyes  on  that  group  of  mourn- 
ers. It  is  a  new-made  grave.  An  aged 
woman  is  kneeling  beside  it,  with  her  head 

present  as  a  class,  pays  the  following  tribute  to  their 
constancy  and  their  services : 

"Is  it  not  a  fact  that  we  are  indebted  to  native  Chris- 
tians for  the  discovery  of  several  deep-laid  plots  in 
different  parts  of  India,  since  June  last  ?  The  Moham- 
medan plot  organized  on  Monghyr  and  Patna,  and  ex- 
tending to  we  know  not  what  places  beside,  which  was 
to  have  been  carried  out  on  Buckree  Eed,  was  brought 
to  light  through  the  agency  of  a  native  Christian.  The 
Belgaum  and  Dharwar  conspiracy,  connecting  itself 
with  Poonah,  and  possibly  with  other  places,  the  carry- 
ing out  of  which  might  have  imperilled  the  entire  Presi- 
dency, was  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  authorities 
by  a  native  Christian.  Other  facts  of  a  similar  kind 
may  be  added,  if  we  mistake  not,  to  this  list.  We  are 
not  aware  that  there  has  been  a  single  instance  of  a 
native  convert  joining  the  mutineers,  even  to  save  his 
life.  Should  such  instances  come  to  light,  we  could  not 
greatly  wonder,  seeing  that  an  Englishman,  once  a  non- 
commissioned officer  in  the  Company's  army,  was  con- 
spicuous among  the  defenders  of  Delhi,  and  was  killed 
in  the  ranks  of  the  mutineers.  But,  as  we  said,  no  such 
fact  is  reported  of  any  native  Christian,  though  it  may 
be  that  nearly  a  thousand  of  them  have  been  put  to 


128  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

laid  thereon.  Beside  her  is  a  middle-aged 
woman,  with  her  pallid  lips  touching  the  con- 
secrated earth,  while  three  sweet  children 
stand  silently  and  sorrowfully  around.     All 

death  for  their  religion  since  the  commencement  of  the 
mutinies." 

About  twelve  miles  from  Cawnpore,  on  the  Ganges, 
was  residing  an  adopted  son  of  the  late  Mahratta 
Peishwa  Bajee  Rao.  This  man,  Nena  Sahib,  had  re- 
ceived an  English  education  on  government  principles, 
i.  e.  without  Christianity;  was  a  great  favourite  with 
English  people;  was  fond  of  accompanying  gentlemen 
on  hunting  excursions,  and  very  fond  of  giving  cham- 
paigne  parties,  and  having  gentlemen  and  ladies  dine  in 
his  palace.  In  short,  he  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  a 
native  gentleman,  educated  on  the  principles  of  the 
government  of  the  East  India  Company.  When  trouble 
was  threatening  at  Cawnpore,  Nena  Sahib  promised  to 
afford  every  protection  to  the  ladies  and  gentlemen 
whose  society  had  afforded  him  so  much  enjoyment  on 
the  chase  and  at  his  table.  He  had  been  allowed 
by  government  to  keep  on  his  estate  at  Bithoor,  a 
park  of  artillery  and  a  considerable  body  of  troops. 
When  the  outbreak  occurred,  his  confiding  European 
friends  sent  for  his  assistance.  He  came  and  took  com- 
mand of  the  revolted  troops,  and  headed  the  rebellion. 
The  combined  rebellious  forces  for  twenty  days  kept  up 
almost  an  incessant  fire  on  the  beleaguered  garrison. 
The  loss  of  the  garrison  in  killed,  as  well  as  from  sick- 


OF   MISSIONS.  129 

are  weeping.  Yes,  even  in  that  dark  land, 
where  the  missionary  had  taught  them  about 
Jesus  who  loved,  and  wept,  and  died  for  sin- 
ners— bitter  tears  now  fell  upon  that  mission- 

ness  and  wounds,  must  have  been  fearful.  The  barrack 
is  said  to  have  been  riddled  and  ruined  by  round  shot, 
and  the  roof  all  knocked  in.  No  one  could  even  go  to 
the  well  for  water  without  being  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
fire.  For  several  days  the  inhabitants  of  the  garrison, 
gentlemen  and  ladies,  men,  women,  and  children,  had 
nothing  to  eat  but  grain  soaked  in  water.  At  length, 
on  the  27th  of  June,  they  capitulated  to  Nena  Sahib, 
and  agreed  to  leave  the  place  and  proceed  in  boats  to 
Allahabad.  Nena  Sahib  promised,  with  an  oath,  taken 
over  Ganges  water,  to  give  them  a  safe  passage  down 
the  river.  The  evening  was  occupied  in  evacuating  the 
entrenchment,  and  embarking  the  ladies  and  children 
on  the  boats  which  Nena  Sahib  had  provided.  All  the 
Europeans  spent  the  night  on  board  the  boats.  Early 
the  next  morning  the  boats  were  loosened,  and  a  start 
was  made.  The  sepoys  on  shore  beckoned  to  the  boat- 
men to  come  ashore,  which  they  instantly  did.  Then, 
from  a  battery  which  had  hitherto  remained  concealed, 
a  most  murderous  fire  opened  on  the  Europeans  in  the 
boats.  Many  jumped  into  the  water,  and  attempted  to 
escape  to  the  other  side  of  the  river ;  but  troopers  were 
at  hand,  who  cut  them  all  up.  Several  gentlemen  were 
brought  back  from  the  boats,  and  taken  to  the  parade- 
ground,  and  there  shot  down.    Among  them  was  the  ex- 

12 


130  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

ary's  grave.  True,  these  mourners  were 
poor.  They  were  rude  and  untutored ;  but 
their  hearts  were  warm,  and  their  sorrow 
sincere  and  deep.  It  was  the  emblem  of 
that  wide-extending  sympathy,  now  awaken- 
ed throughout  India,  and  throughout  the 
Christian  world,  for  Christ's  suffering  mar- 
tyrs, and  his  bleeding  cause;  It  is  fellow- 
ship with  Christ,  in  his  sufferings,  and  in  his 
death,  and  in  the  power  of  his  glorious  resur- 
rection, ascension,  and  exalted  dominion. 
God  is  again  uttering  his  decree,  and  writing 
it  in  the  blood  of  martyrs,  in  the  tears  of 

cellent  cliaplain,  Mr.  Moncrieff,  a  godly  man.  A  native 
witness  says,  that  before  they  were  shot,  he  asked  for  a 
few  minutes  to  read.  His  request  was  granted,  and  he 
took  from  his  pocket  a  small  book,  and  read  a  short 
time.  Then  all  the  gentlemen  shook  hands  with  each 
other,  and  were  immediately  shot.  It  is  conjectured 
that  Mr.  Moncrieff  read  the  burial-service  over  himself 
and  his  Christian  brethren.  One  boat  had  gone  several 
miles  down  the  river,  but  was  caught  and  brought  back 
to  Cawnpore.  The  gentlemen  were  all  killed  at  once. 
The  ladies  and  children,  in  all  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty,  were  taken  to  a  large  house,  called  the  Assem- 
bly Rooms,  and  there  kept  until  the  15th  of  July. 


OF  MISSIONS.  131 

mourners,  and  in  the  heart's  deepest  faith  of 
all  true  believers. 

He  whom  the  Father  sent  to  die, 
Hath  given  us  his  commission  high, 
The  channels  of  his  grace  to  be, 
And  vessels  of  his  charity. 

The  Lamb,  which  by  the  wolves  was  slain, 
Sends  us  as  lambs  to  wolves  again; 
Till  they — aside  their  nature  laid — 
Are  lambs  of  wolves  by  grace  now  made. 

The  earth,  which  'neath  the  offended  skies, 
Was  foul  with  imp^us  sacrifice; 
Now  by  your  sweat  'tis  newly  dyed. 
And  by  your  blood  is  purified. 

New  fruits  her  genial  face  renew, 
Blest  by  that  fertilizing  dew ; 
Made  a  rich  harvest  by  his  grace ! 
In  which  even  such  can  find  a  place. 

If  thou  who  dost  the  increase  give, 
Wilt  look  on  them,  then  they  shall  live. 
Ripen,  and  grow,  and  evermore 
Be  gathered  to  thy  heavenly  store. 

Among  the  noble  army  of  martyrs  who 
have  recently  gone  up  with  a  shout,  who 
found  "sudden  death,  sudden  glory,"  and 
found  themselves  at  once  transported  "from 


132  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

the  burning,  blood-stained  plains  of  heathen 
India  to  the  quiet  and  peaceful  rest  that 
remaineth  for  the  people  of  God  in  that 
home  where  Jesus  dwells,"  God  raised  up 
some  illustrious  civilians  and  soldiers,  who 
have  rejoiced  to  irradiate  with  the  lustre  of 
their  fame  that  cross  in  which  they  gloried, 
and  under  which  they  fought  and  con- 
quered.* 

When  General  Havelock  advanced  to  the 
relief  of  Lucknow,  he  met  with  numerous 
difficulties.  In  the  firsC"  battle  his  little  body 
of  men  were  met  by  twenty-seven  thousand 
of  the  enemy.  They  advanced,  and  beat 
them  again  and  again;  but  they  were 
stricken,  not  by  man,  but  by  God,  and  were 
compelled  to  retire,  returning  to  Cawnpore 
to  leave  their  sick  and  wounded.    They  then 

*  "The  noble  examples  of  Sir  Henry  Lawrence,  Judge 
Robertson,  Mr.  Tucker,  &c.,  have  kindled  a  noble  emu- 
lation; and  the  bravery  and  devotion  of  our  countrymen 
all  over  India,  makes  us  proud  of  the  race.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  Christianity  and  missions  have  received  a 
wonderful  impetus  through  late  events,  that  will  before 
long  result  in  some  extraordinary  manifestation  against 
Satan's  power,  throughout  heathendom." 


OF   MISSIONS.  133 

advanced  afresh,  and  reached  the  city,  and 
pressed  on,  determined  to  secure  the  deli- 
verance of  their  fellow-countrymen.  They 
passed  through  that  archway  where  the  fire 
of  the  enemy  was  so  fierce  as  almost  to  blind 
them  by  the  blaze.  Not  a  cry  was  raised, 
not  a  voice  was  heard,  not  an  alarm  was 
given.  The  bullet  and  the  bayonet  did  their 
work  in  silence,  for  they  were  vigorous,  and 
determined  that  nothing  should  stop  them; 
and  before  the  enemy  knew  it,  they  reached 
the  place,  and  the  Highlanders  were  seen 
shaking  hands  with  the  Englishmen,  and  the 
Englishmen  tossing  the  children  in  the  air, 
in  the  midst  of  their  joy,  and  a  shout  was 
raised,  "Havelock  is  come!  we  are  saved, 
we  are  saved  I'  'Now  Hindooism  (to  use  the 
language  of  a  missionary)  is  a  fortified 
city;  its  walls  are  thick,  and  it  contains 
millions  whom  we  are  to  save.  We  have 
to  set  them  free,  and  our  numbers  are  few ; 
but  let  us  not  be  afraid  of  those  who  en- 
counter us.  Let  us  increase  our  missions 
from  four  hundred  to  six  hundred.  That 
city  shall  then  fall;  and,  though  we  die 
12* 


134  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

in  the  contest,  we  shall  hear  the  voice  of 
the  Hindoos  crying  out,  'We  are  saved,  we 
are  saved!'  " 

''Havelock  is  gone.    Heaven's  will  is  best: 
Indian  turf  o'erlies  his  breast. 
Ghoul  in  black,  nor  fool  in  gold, 
Laid  him  in  yon  hallowed  mould: 
Guarded  to  a  soldier's  grave 
By  the  bravest  of  the  brave, 
He  hath  gained  a  nobler  tomb 
Than  in  old  cathedral  gloom ; 
Nobler  mourners  paid  the  rite 
Than  the  crowd  that  craves  a  sight; 
England's  banners  o'er  him  waved — 
Dead,  he  keeps  the  realm  he  saved. 
Strew  not  on  the  hero's  hearse 
Garlands  of  a  herald's  verse ; 
Let  us  hear  no  words  of  fame 
Sounding  loud  a  deathless  name ; 
Tell  us  of  no  vauntful  glory 
Shouting  forth  her  haughty  story. 
All  life  long  his  homage  rose 
To  far  other  shrine  than  those, 
'/w  Hoc  Siffno,'  pale  nor  dim, 
Lit  the  battle-field  for  him ; 
And  the  prize  he  sought  and  won, 
Was  the  crown  for  duty  done. 

But  being  dead,  do  not  these  heroic  spirits 
still  speak  to  us  ?    Does  not  their  blood  cry 


OF  MISSIONS.  135 

aloud,  not  only  to  heaven,  but  also  to  the 
earth,  saying,  "How  long!  Wilt  thou  not 
avenge  our  blood?  Come  over  and  help  us! 
Haste  to  deliver!" 

The  youth  of  England — its  beauty  and 
its  chivalry — are  rushing  to  India,  to  fill 
the  vacant  posts  of  danger.  Sir  Colin 
Campbell  asked  for  only  twenty-four  hours 
to  get  ready  to  go.  At  the  siege  of  Delhi, 
two  young  officers,  three  sergeants,  and 
one  trumpeter,  volunteered  to  fasten  bags 
of  powder  to  the  gates  of  Delhi,  amid  a 
storm  of  bullets  pouring  upon  them  from  the 
loopholes  within;  and  with  fearful  loss  and 
suffering  they  did  it ! 

And  can  the  Church  do  less?  Are  life, 
and  blood,  and  treasures,  dearer  to  it  than 
to  the  world?  Or  is  the  duty  less  impera- 
tive ?  Or  is  the  honour  less  glorious  ?  Or  is 
the  victory  less  certain?  Who,  then,  will 
go  for  the  dead?  How  many  mothers  who 
have  buried  one  martyred  son,  and  have 
others  fighting  in  the  field,  are  like  that  re- 
cent Spartan  mother,  ready  to  equip  others 
for  the  good  fight,  and  only  sorry  she  had 


136  OBEDIENCE,    THE    LIFE 

not  many  more  able  and  willing  to  go  ?  How 
many  whose  children  have  been  slaughtered 
by  that  hybrid  monster,  Nena  Sahib,  have 
the  heart  of  that  mother  who  recently  re- 
quested the  prayers  of  five  thousand  Chris- 
tians for  the  conversion  of  him  who  had 
made  her  motherless? 

Christians  in  England  are  all  actively 
zealous  in  responding  to  the  call.  We  find  a 
great  increase  in  the  candidates  for  missions 
at  the  universities  where  hitherto  the  great- 
est backwardness  existed.  All  denominations 
cooperate.  Let  not  Christians  in  America 
be  found  lagging.  The  seal  of  God  is  on 
our  forehead.  We  have  been  baptized  with 
the  missionary  spirit  and  consecrated  and 
set  apart  to  the  missionary  work.  Reserved 
in  undiscovered  solitude  until  the  set  time 
to  favour  Zion  had  come — just  on  the  eve  of 
the  wonderful  developments  of  modern  sci- 
ence and  civilization — two  of  the  greatest 
systems  of  error  that  ever  cursed  the  world 
in  their  dotage — Protestantism  everywhere 
springing  up  with  new  life — having  access 
to  the  world  of  men — away  from  the  effete 


OF   MISSIONS.  137 

systems  of  the  Old  World — free  from  their 
corruptions — palpitating  with  the  fires  of 
evangelism — and  swaying  an  influence  in 
the  world  paramount  to  all  others — let  Ame- 
rican Christians  act  worthy  of  their  high 
calling  and  exalted  destiny. 

India  with  her  teeming  multitudes  stretches 
out  her  hands,  and  calls  beseechingly  for  our 
help.  In  the  four  presidencies,  there  are 
one  hundred  and  twelve  millions,  with  some 
four  hundred  missionaries;  or  one  to  each 
quarter  million.  In  the  territories  outside 
the  presidencies,  there  are,  among  sixty- 
four  millions  of  natives,  only  eight  mission- 
aries. And  has  not  the  Captain  of  our  sal- 
vation been  himself  going  up  and  down 
among  our  churches,  through  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land,  and  recruiting  good 
soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the  glorious  war? 
Has  not  he  who  called  unto  him  the  twelve, 
and  again  other  seventy  also,  saying  "Follow 
me,"  called  unto  him  recently  at  least  one 
hundred  thousand  souls,  and  a  large  propor- 
tion of  them  young  men  and  maidens,  and 


138  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

caused  them  to  arise  and  stand  up  a  great 
army? 

"Let  us  not  be  desponding,  but  hopeful. 
The  voice  of  this  revival  in  America  comes, 
(to  use  the  stirring  words  of  John  Angel 
James,  of  England,)  to  every  country,  and 
to  every  Christian,  as  the  midnight  cry  of 
old,   *  Behold,  the  bridegroom  cometh!' 

"A  new  era  is  struggling  into  birth, 
Christ  is  moving  to  reorganize  the  world. 
Is  it  a  vision  of  my  imagination  f  Or  is  it 
only  a  spectral  form  which  I  see  f  Or  is  it, 
0  !  is  it  the  Saviour  himself  walking  upon 
the  waters  of  the  Atlantic,  and  receding 
with  his  face  towards  Britain?  I  hear  his 
voice  saying  to  this  country, '  Behold,  I  come 
quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  me.'  0! 
brethren,  shall  we  fear,  neglect,  repel  Him? 
Shall  we,  like  the  mercernary  Gadarenes, 
entreat  Him  to  leave  our  coasts,  or  shall  we 
not  rather  implore  his  presence  and  say, 
'Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly,  and  land 
upon  our  shores?'  " 

The  Son  of  God  is  gone  to  war, 
A  kingly  crown  to  gain; 


OF  MISSIONS.  139 

His  blood-red  banner  streams  afar ; 

Who  follows  in  his  train  ? 
Who  best  can  drink  his  cup  of  woe, 

Triumphant  over  pain ; 
Who  boldest  bears  his  cross  below — - 

He  follows  in  his  train. 

The  martyr  first,  whose  eagle  eye 

Could  pierce  beyond  the  grave; 
Who  saw  his  Master  in  the  sky 

And  called  on  Him  to  save : 
Like  Him,  with  pardon  on  his  tongue. 

In  midst  of  mortal  pain, 
He  prayed  for  them  that  did  the  wrong : 

Who  follows  in  His  train  ? 

A  glorious  band,  the  chosen  few, 

On  whom  the  Spirit  came, 
Twelve  valiant  saints,  the  truth  they  knew, 

And  braved  the  cross  and  flame  : 
They  met  the  tyrant's  brandished  steel, 

The  lion's  gory  mane  ; 
They  bowed  their  necks  the  death  to  feel : 

Who  follows  in  their  train  ? 
A  noble  army,  men  and  boys. 

The  matron  and  the  maid. 
Around  their  Saviour's  throne  rejoice. 

In  robes  of  light  arrayed  ; 
They  climbed  the  dizzy  steep  of  heaven, 

Through  peril,  toil,  and  pain : 
0  !  God,  to  us  may  grace  be  given, 

To  follow  in  their  train. 


140 

THE  GREATNESS  OF  THE  Tf ORE  AND  GREATNESS  OF  THE 
POWER. 

The  heathen  are  not  yet  given  to  Christ 
for  his  inheritance,  nor  the  uttermost  parts 
of  the  earth  for  his  possession;  but  they 
are  his  by  a  divine  decree.  They  are  his  in 
certain  reversion.  Nay,  they  are  his  in  ac- 
tual possession.  They  are  under  his  domin- 
ion. They  are  governed  by  his  providence 
and  laws.  He  is  fulfilling  among  them  the 
secret  purposes  of  his  will,  and  making 
known  through  them  to  principalities  and 
powers  in  heavenly  places  the  manifold  les- 
sons of  his  wisdom  and  mercy,  of  sin  and 
salvation,  of  the  apostasy  and  recovery  of 
man. 

But  there  is  no  mystery  as  to  the  result. 
By  special  revelation,  that  result  was  made 
known  to  the  Apostle  Paul,  (Eph.  iii.  2-7) 
and  demonstrated  by  his  almost  superhuman 
life  and  labours.  To  talk  of  difficulties  and 
discouragements  and  dangers,  is  unbeliev- 
ing disobedience.  God  has  promised,  and 
who  shall  make  his  promise  of  none  effect? 
Ps.  ii.  8,  &c.)     To  his  church  he  has  given 


OF   MISSIONS.  141 

the  assurance,  "Thou  shalt  break  forth  on 
the  right  hand  and  on  the  left;  and  thy 
seed  shall  inherit  the  Gentiles,  and  make 
the  desolate  cities  to  be  inhabited,"  (Isa.  liv. 
8,)  and  who  can  arrest  her  onward  course? 
He  has  declared,  "1  will  gather  all  nations 
and  tongues;  and  they  shall  come  and  see 
my  glory.  And  I  will  set  a  sign  among 
them,  and  I  will  send  those  that  escape  of 
them  unto  the  nations  'S^  *  *  *  that  have  not 
heard  my  fame,  neither  seen  my  glory:  and 
they  shall  declare  my  glory  among  the  Gen- 
tiles," (Isa.  Ixvi.  18  19,)  and  who  may  ven- 
ture to  say  the  work  is  impracticable?  He 
has  promised  of  his  Son,  "He  will  lift  up 
an  ensign  to  the  nations  from  far,  and  will 
hiss  unto  them  from  the  end  of  the  earth ; 
and  behold  they  shall  come  with  speed  swift- 
ly," (Isa.  V.  26,)  and  who  can  doubt  of  suc- 
cess in  a  work  like  this?  No!  beloved 
brethren,  with  the  open  pages  of  God's  word 
and  promises  before  us,  we  cannot  doubt. 
The  work  must  go  on,  until  every  knee  shall 
bow,  and  every  tongue  confess.  God's  pur- 
poses must  and  will  be  fulfilled. 
13 


142  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Neither  is  there  any  mystery  as  to  the 
agency  for  accomplishing  this  result.  It  is 
by  men  that  men  are  to  be  converted.  The 
redeemed  are  to  restore  the  captives.  The 
saved  are  to  seek  the  lost,  and  those  who 
hear  and  live  are  to  become  the  preachers  to 
them  that  have  never  heard,  and  who  are 
perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge.  This  has 
been  God's  agency  in  all  past  dispensations 
of  the  church  and  is  the  only  instrumen- 
tality instituted  for  all  time  to  come.  (Rom. 
X.  13-15). 

Neither  is  there  any  ambiguity  as  to  the 
course  of  duty.  Events  belong  to  the  Lord, 
but  commands  belong  to  us.  Obedience, 
therefore,  is  ours,  and  it  is  with  God  to  bless 
or  to  withhold  his  blessing,  to  withhold  or 
to  withdraw  his  presence;  and  this  obedi- 
ence is  to  be  rendered  according  to  our 
ability  and  opportunity,  whether  success  or 
disaster  has  attended  past  exertions — whe- 
ther hope  or  despondency  lower  upon  the 
future.  The  very  essence  of  obedience  is  that 
it  is  rendered  from  a  principle  of  love,  sub- 
mission, and  confidence  towards=  God,  whose 


OF  MISSIONS.  143 

"will  is  done.  Let  us  suppose  that  missions  to 
the  heathen  were  a  failure.  Let  us  forget 
that  Christendom,  including  all  Christian 
civilization,  is  itself  the  fruit  of  missionary 
effort.  Let  us  forget  that  the  ice-bound 
shores  of  Greenland  have  become  a  fruitful 
field  and  a  garden  of  the  Lord  under  mission- 
ary culture.  Let  us  cease  to  remember  that 
the  islands  of  the  Pacific  have  blossomed  with 
the  rose  of  Sharon,  planted  there  by  mission- 
ary hands.  Let  us  forget  that  in  India  and 
Burmah,  in  New  Zealand  and  Ceylon,  and 
amid  the  jungle  forests  of  Africa,  thousands 
make  prayer  continually,  and  offer  praises  to 
Jesus.  Let  us  forget  that  every  wind  wafts 
his  story,  and  every  sea  bears  his  glad 
tidings,  and  that  there  is  no  speech  nor  lan- 
guage where  this  voice  is  not  heard.  Let  us 
suppose  that  amid  the  thick  darkness  which 
rests  upon  the  nations  who  know  not  God, 
the  eye  can  catch  no  ray  of  light  to  tell 
of  coming  day ;  that  Mohammedanism,  now 
almost  at  its  last  gasp,  was  "lengthening  its 
cords,  and  strengthening  its  stakes;"  that 
the  gates  of  China,  instead  of  being  thrown 


144  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

open  to  our  missionaries,  were  double-barred 
against  us;  that  no  voice  reached  us  from 
other  lands  to  tell  of  the  triumphs  of  Mes- 
siah's cause.  Let  us  close  our  eyes  and  ears 
to  every  encouraging  fact,  and  suppose  all 
this,  and  more — and  what  then  ?  Will  this 
excuse  us  for  our  neglect  of  imperative  obli- 
gation ?  Will  it  free  us  from  the  debt  of 
duty  which  we  owe  to  the  perishing  heathen, 
which  we  owe  to  God  ?  We  are  required  to 
love  our  neighbour  as  ourselves.  This  com- 
mand has  its  source  in  our  common  nature, 
our  common  origin.  But  what  manner  of 
love  is  that  which  sees  a  brother  perishing 
for  lack  of  knowledge,  and  yet  stretches  out 
no  hand  to  save  him — makes  no  effort,  no 
sacrifice  to  deliver  him  ?  Unto  whomsoever 
this  gospel  is  sent,  upon  him  does  the  obliga- 
tion rest  to  make  it  known  to  those  who  have 
it  not.  The  message  must  pass  from  man  to 
man,  until  all  the  world  have  gathered  be- 
neath the  standard  of  the  cross.  (Rev.  xxii. 
17.)  "Whether  they  will  hear,  or  whether 
they  will  forbear,"  we  who  have  the  gospel 
must  make  it  known  "in  all  the  world  for  a 


OF   MISSIONS.  145 

witness  unto  all  nations."  "  Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  is  God's  command  to  us,  no  less 
than  to  his  primitive  apostles  and  disciples ; 
and  whether  they  receive  our  testimony  or 
reject  it — whether  none  or  millions  be  con- 
verted by  our  instrumentality,  our  witness  is 
with  God,  and  to  him,  and  not  to  success,  do 
we  look  for  the  acceptance  and  the  reward 
of  our  duty  and  obedience.  Whatever  may 
be  God's  time  to  bless,  our  time  of  labour  is 
now.  We  must  work  whilst  it  is  day,  and 
leave  events  and  time  to  God.  We  must 
sow  the  seed  now,  the  plant  will  spring  up 
and  ripen  in  God's  own  good  season.  So 
long  as  the  word  of  God  remains  with  us,  it 
matters  not  how  great  our  discouragements 
and  difficulties.  "  Woe  be  unto  us  if  we 
preach  not  the  gospel." 

When  Dr.  Judson  laboured  at  Rangoon 
and  other  places,  there  were  no  visible  fruits 
from  his  labours,  and  the  Board  of  Missions 
at  home  began  to  be  doubting  and  disheart- 
ened. This  man  of  strong-winged  faith,  in 
the  very  midst  of  all  the  discouraging  scenes, 
13* 


146 

was  the  only  one  whose  courage  and  confi- 
dence never  failed.  He  never  doubted  of 
the  conversion  of  Burmah,  whether  or  not  he 
should  be  permitted  to  gather  the  first  fruits ; 
and  his  answer  to  desponding  letters  from 
America  roused  the  home  churches  as  with 
the  voice  of  a  trumpet.  "Permit  us  to 
labour  on  in  obscurity,  and  at  the  end  of 
twenty  years  you  may  hear  from  us  again.'* 
It  was  in  this  spirit,  also,  he  replied  to  the 
question  of  the  venerable  Mr.  Loring,  "  Do 
you  think  the  prospects  bright  for  the  speedy 
conversion  of  the  heathen?"  "As  bright," 
was  his  prompt  reply,  full  of  deep  meaning, 
as  well  as  of  fine  sentiment,  "  as  bright  as 
the  promises  of  God  !" 

Who  that  reads  these  pages  can  be  assured 
of  a  more  favourable  and  promising  opportu- 
nity than  the  present  for  helping  forward 
this  glorious  cause  ?  Which  of  us  can  look 
for  any  other  time  than  the  present  now,  for 
doing  his  part  towards  sending  the  gospel  to 
those  who  have  it  not?  This  may  not  be 
God's  time  to  convert  the  world,  but  it  is 
your  time;  the  only  time  that  you  can  call 


OF   MISSIONS.  147 

your  own.  Death  is  ever  near  us,  and  in  an 
hour  that  we  know  not  of,  we  may  be  sum- 
moned to  our  great  account ;  and  what  ex- 
cuse will  it  be  at  the  bar  of  judgment,  when 
our  Master  shall  charge  us  with  neglecting 
to  labour  in  his  vineyard,  to  say,  "  I  deemed 
that  the  time  was  not  yet  come  for  the  con- 
version of  the  world,  and  therefore  I  did 
nothing."  How  will  the  soul  be  filled  with 
horror,  when,  pointing  to  His  children  from 
the  east  and  west,  he  replies,  "  Verily,  verily, 
I  say  unto  you,  inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  not 
unto  the  least  of  these,  ye  did  it  not  unto 
me.  Depart  from  me,  I  know  ye  not." 
For  your  soul's  sake,  then,  beloved  reader, 
let  me  beseech  you  deceive  not  yourself 
with  the  idea,  that  the  time  for  you  to  con- 
tribute to  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  has  not  yet  come. 

Time  was  I  shrank  from  what  was  right, 

From  fear  of  what  was  wrong; 
I  would  not  brave  the  sacred  fight, 

Because  the  foe  was  strong. 

But  now  I  cast  that  finer  sense 

And  sorer  shame  aside ; 
Such  dread  of  sin  was  indolence, 

Such  aim  at  heaven  was  pride. 


148  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

Away  then  with  fear,  and  unbelieving, 
covetous  timidity,  and  faint- heartedness. 
The  work  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  strength  is 
his  also.  And  though  the  mountains  reach 
unto  the  heavens,  and  Jacob  be  but  as  a 
feeble  worm,  yet  shall  he  thresh  the  moun- 
tains, and  beat  them  small,  and  make  the 
hills  as  chaff.  In  no  part  of  his  labours  did 
Dr.  Judson  gather  more  abundant  cause  of 
joy  than  in  his  visits  to  the  Karens,  those 
wild,  untutored  children  of  the  wilderness. 
Ascending  almost  impassable  mountains, 
wading  knee-deep  for  miles  up  the  beds  of 
mountain  streams,  drawing  little  companies 
around  him  in  some  way-side  zayat,  or 
preaching  to  wondering  multitudes  from  his 
boat  on  some  river-side,  he  felt  as  if  the  time 
to  favour  this  people  were  come.  "Yes!" 
he  exclaims,  writing  on  one  occasion  from 
the  midst  of  the  Karen  jungles,  "the  great 
Invisible  is  in  the  midst  of  these  Karen 
wilds.  That  mighty  Being,  who  heaped  up 
these  craggy  rocks,  and  reared  these  stu- 
pendous mountains,  and  poured  out  these 
streams  in  all  directions,  and  scattered  im- 


OP  MISSIONS.  149 

mortal  beings  throughout  these  deserts,  He 
is  present  by  the  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit, 
and  accompanies  the  sound  of  the  gospel 
with  converting,  sanctifying  power.  The 
best  of  all  is,  God  is  with  us  !"  ■ 

Let  us  then  be  well  assured  of  the  ground 
on  which  we  stand,  in  this  great  conflict. 
The  honour,  the  power,  the  Sprit  of  the  Son 
of  God  are  on  the  one  hand  assailed;  on  the 
other,  they  are  divinely  pledged  for  the 
result.  We  must  be  identified  with  him, 
hide  ourselves  in  him,  conquer  with  him,  or 
perish  among  his  enemies.  Away,  then, 
with  the  brandishing  of  human  weapons,  and 
succumbing  to  human  fear.  Argue  what  we 
will,  hope  what  we  will,  attempt  what  we 
will,  it  is  vain,  unless  He  works  in  us,  and  in 
the  hearts  of  all  we  would  bless.  The  con- 
flict is  his  ;  and  the  faith  he  inspires,  assures 
us  that,  trusting  in  him,  consecrating  our- 
selves to  him,  and  doing  the  work  he  appoints, 
he  will  own  our  endeavours,  and  ultimate 
victory  is  certain.  We  may  fall  in  the  con- 
test, and  honour  him  in  the  fires  of  martyr- 
dom, but  he  will  conquer;  and  if  not  here, 


150 

we  shall  in  heaven  witness  the  triumph  of  his 
power  and  love. 

To  what,  then,  does  Christ  by  his  Spirit  call 
us  for  the  world's  conversion  ?  The  voice  of 
his  providence  and  grace  claims  every  renew- 
ed soul  as  wholly  his,  and  demands  that  all  the 
means  of  his  own  appointment  be  faithfully 
employed.  We  seem  to  hear  him  say,  "These 
ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the 
other  undone."  Not  our  own  neighbourhood 
and  land  merely,  but  "every  creature"  must 
be  supplied,  not  with  the  written  word  merely, 
which  gives  authority  to  all  other  means,  but 
with  the  living  ministry,  which  it  appoints ; 
not  by  the  labours  of  the  commissioned  minis- 
try alone,  but  with  the  cooperation  of  every 
member  of  the  body  of  Christ ;  not  with  oral 
preaching  or  instruction  merely,  but  the  same 
permanently  embodied,  and  presented  to  the 
eye;  not  with  any  one  of  these  instrumental- 
ities, alone,  but  with  all  united ;  or  where  all 
cannot  at  once  be  employed,  with  such  as  can 
be,  as  introductory  to  the  rest,  "if  by  any 
means"  we  may  "save  some." 


OP  MISSIONS.  151 

The  Church  has  waited  long 

Her  absent  Lord  to  see; 
And  still  in  loneliness  she  waits — 
.  A  friendless  stranger  she. 
Age  after  age  has  gone, 
Sun  after  sun  has  set, 
And  still  in  weeds  of  widowhood 
She  weeps,  a  mourner  yet. 
Come,  then,  Lord  Jesus,  come ! 

Saint  after  saint  on  earth 

Has  lived,  and  hoped,  and  died; 
And  as  they  left  us,  one  by  one, 

We  laid  them  side  by  side : 
We  laid  them  down  to  sleep, 

But  not  in  hope  forlorn ; 
We  laid  them  but  to  ripen  there 

Till  the  last  glorious  morn. 
Come,  then.  Lord  Jesus,  come! 

The  serpent's  broo(;J  increase, 

The  powers  of  hell  grow  bold; 
The  conflict  thickens,"  faith  is  low, 

And  love  is  waxing  cold. 
How  long,  0  Lord  our  God, 

Holy,  and  true,  and  good. 
Wilt  thou  not  judge  thy  suffering  Church, 

Her  sighs,  and  tears,  and  blood  ? 
Come,  then.  Lord  Jesus,  come ! 

We  long  to  hear  thy  voice, 
To  see  thee  face  to  face ; 


152 


To  share  thy  crown  and  glory  then, 
As  now  we  share  thy  grace. 

Should  not  the  loving  bride 
The  absent  bridegroom  mourn! 

Should  she  not  wear  the  weeds  of  grief 

'     Until  her  Lord  return? 

Come,  then,  Lord  Jesus,  come ! 

The  whole  creation  groans, 

And  waits  to  hear  that  voice 
That  shall  restore  her  comeliness, 

And  make  her  wastes  rejoice. 
Come,  Lord,  and  wipe  away 

The  curse,  the  sin,  the  stain, 
And  make  this  blighted  world  of  ours 

Thine  own  fair  world  again. 
Come,  then,  Lord  Jesus,  come ! 


THE  TRUE  END  AND  VALUE  OF  LIFE. 

From  all  that  lias  been  said,  let  us  learn 
the  true  .value  of  life,  that  stupendous  gift 
of  God.  Life  is  unspeakably  and  incalcula- 
bly sublime,  considered  as  a  participation  of 
the  divine  immortal  life.  But  life  is  incon- 
ceivably great,  chiefly  as  an  opportunity  of 
doing  good.  In  any  other  aspect,  no  image 
is  too  affecting  to  portray  its  vanity.      K.e 


OF  MISSIONS.  153 

garded,  liow-ever,  as  an  agency,  a  trust,  a 
day  of  toil,  of  strife,  and  of  victorious 
achievement,  life  is  gloriously  sublime.  In 
every  form  of  self-denying,  self-sacrificing 
endurance,  life  is  glorious — whether  it  be  the 
glory  of  the  faithful  mother;  or  of  the  pa- 
tient sufferer;  or  of  virtue  uncorriipted  amid 
impurity  and  poverty;  or  of  the  persevering 
and  enterprising,  and  public-spirited  mer- 
chant; or  of  the  toiling,  cheerful  and  indus- 
trious artizan;  or  of  the  laborious,  indefati- 
gable student;  or  of  the  true,  disinterested 
patriot;  or  of  the  gallant  hero;  or  of  the 
brave  commander,  who  stands  by  his  vessel, 
and  her  hapless  crew,  and  sinks  with  her  in 
indomitable  firmness.  But  while  these  and 
all  other  forms  of  enterprise  and  suffering 
for  the  good  of  others,  and  in  submission  to 
the  will  of  God,  are  glorious  even  as  the 
glory  of  the  stars,  there  is  another  form  of 
life-long  or  life-sacrificiDg  labour  which  is  as 
the  glory  of  the  sun ! 

To  feel  that  to  live   is  Christ — to  be  so 
united  to  Christ  that  his  work  is  our  work, 
his  will  our  will,  his  sufferings,  death,  and 
14 


154  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 

sacrifice  ours,  his  self-denial,  lave  and  cha- 
rity ours,  his  kingdom  our  inheritance,  and 
his  triumph  and  glory  ours — to  feel  that 
to  spend  and  be  spent  in  his  service,  to  be 
instant  in  season  and  out  of  season  in  win- 
ning souls  to  Christ,  is  our  life — to  feel  that 
pain  is  pleasure,  and  weariness  rest,  and  tri- 
bulation glory,  and  death  gain,  when  en- 
dured as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ — this 
is  to  shine  with  a  glory  which  death  itself 
shall  not  eclipse,  but  which  rising  in  a 
brighter  dawn,  in  a  better  land,  in  a  hemis- 
phere encircled  by  the  eternal  hills  watered 
by  the  river  of  life,  and  luxuriant  as  the 
paradise  of  God,  shall  shine  more  and  more 
throughout  the  unending  day  of  our  ever 
brightening  immortality. 

Dear  reader !  Can  you  take  God's  will, 
and  word,  and  decree  as  your  inheritance? 
Can  you  say.  Thy  kingdom,  0  Christ,  is 
over  all,  thy  power  will  subjugate  all,  and 
thy  glory  will  obscure  all?  As  it  is  in  thy 
purposes,  so  is  it  in  thy  promises.  So  be  it 
in   our   prayers,  and    praises,  and    labours, 


OF   MISSIONS.  155 

until  thy  will  is  "  done  on  earth  as  it  is  done 
in  heaven." 

What  say  you  reader?  Can  you  venture 
on  Christ's  promise  all  you  love  and  live 
for,  and  life  itself?  Dr.  Watts  said,  "I  have 
faith  enough  to  venture  body,  soul,  and  spirit 
for  an  eternity  upon  it."  The  Rev.  John 
Hyatt  was  for  many  years  co-pastor  with 
the  Rev.  Matthew  Wilks,  of  the  congrega- 
tions at  the  Tabernacle  and  Tottenham-court 
chapel.  His  venerable  colleague,  who  called 
upon  him  a  few  hours  before  his  death,  in 
a  characteristic  conversation  said,  "Is  all 
right  for  another  world?" 

"I  am  very  happy,"  said  Mr.  Hyatt. 

"Have  you  made  your  will?" 

Mistaking  the  question — "The  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done!"  said  the  dying  Christian. 

"Shall  I  pray  with  you?" 

"Yes,  if  you  can ;"  alluding  to  Mr.  Wilks's 
feelings,  at  that  moment  considerably  ex- 
cited. 

After  prayer,  "Well,  my  brother,  if  you 
had  a  hundred  souls,  could  you  commit  them 
all  to  Christ  now?"  (alluding  to  an  expres- 


156  OBEDIENCE,    THE    LIFE 

sion  Mr.  Hyatt  frequently  used  in  the  pul- 
pit.) With  a  mighty  and  convulsive  effort, 
he  replied,  "A  million!" 

Thus  also  was  it  with  our  dear  martyred 
sisters  and  brethren. 

They  perished — but  their  wrea,th  was  won, 
Immortal  on  the  heights  of  fame ; 

Nor  sank  a  cloud  on  Zion's  sun, 

For  still  she  conquers  in  His  name — 

Filled  with  whose  life  she  cannot  die, 
Her  conquest  is  posterity. 

Christian  reader !  To  you,  to  me,  to  every 
one  of  us  is  given  a  banner,  that  it  may 
be  borne  manfully  for  Christ's  cause.  "Fol- 
low me,"  is  his  war-cry.  "Whithersoever  I 
lead,"  is  his  emphatic  word,  as  he  rushes  into 
the  thickest  of  the  fight.  "He  that  loseth 
his  life  for  my  sake  shall  find  it:  and  he 
that  loveth  it  more  than'me  is  not  worthy  of 
me.  And  to  him  that  overcometh  and  is 
faithful  unto  death,  I  will  give  a  crown  of 
life  in  glory  everlasting." 

See  how  they  close  around  his  m?ijestic 
person,  catching  fire  from  his  eye,  and  daring 
from  his  presence.     They  endure  hardness. 


OF  MISSIONS.  157 

They  fight  not  uncertainly.  They  contend 
earnestly  even  unto  blood,  striving  against 
sin  and  Satan.  They  are  baptized  with  a 
baptism  of  fire.  They  have  trial  of  cruel 
mocking  and  scourging,  yea,  moreover,  of 
bonds  and  imprisonment.  They  are  stoned. 
They  are  sawn  asunder.  They  are  tempted 
with  grievous,  and  unspeakable,  yea,  fiendish 
atrocities.  They  wander  about  in  naked- 
ness, and  peril,  in  hunger,  and  thirst.  They 
are  destitute,  afilicted,  tormented.  They 
are  mangled,  hewn  to  pieces,  and  even  cru- 
cified. 

But  to  them  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die 
gain.  They  conquer  though  they  die.  Yea, 
they  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him 
that  loveth  them;  whose  grace  is  sufficient, 
and  whose  felt  presence  is  perfect  peace,  and 
a  present  heaven.  Christ  is  the  strength  of 
their  failing  heart,  the  light  of  their  fading 
eye.  They  grasp  their  banner  firmly,  even 
in  death, 

"And  smile  to  see  its  splendors  fly, 
In  triumph  o'er  the  closing  eye." 

They  have   fought   the   good  fight.      They 
14* 


158  OBEDIENCE, 

have  kept  the  faith.  Thej  have  let  no  man 
take  their  crown.  And  as  the  dimness  of 
death  seals  the  closing  eyelid,  and  glazes 
the  vacant  eyeball,  and  the  cold  chill  freezes 
their  heart's  blood,  their  spirit  revives  on 
seeing  Christ's  banner  waving  still  over  them. 
And  as  a  dying  patriot  requested  that  the 
flag  under  which  he  had  fought  and  conquered 
might  be  placed  under  his  head  for  a  pillow, 
while  life  was  ebbing  away,  so  does  the 
Christian,  whose  pulse  of  life  is  fleeting, 
pillow  his  sinking  head  on  his  Saviour's 
bosom ;  while  the  last  beat  of  his  heart 
sends  up  to  heaven  the  shout,  "Thanks  be 
to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory  through 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ." 

And  may  He,  whose  is  the  kingdom,  and 
the  power,  and  the  life,  and  the  glory,  first 
"work  in  each  of  us  to  will^  and  then  to  do 
his  good  pleasure  here ;  and  then  by  his  un- 
speakable grace  make  us  partakers  of  his 
glory,  and  in  his  kingdom  in  heaven. 

"Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to 
God,  by  thy  blood  out  of  every  kindred,  and 


OF   MISSIONS.  ^  159 

tongue,  and  nation,  and  hast  made  us  unto 
our  God  kings  and  priests." 

"Coelo  quos  eadem  gloria  consecrat." 

Ye  that  are  now  in  heavenly  glory  one, 
May  we  together  join,  with  earthly  voice, 

Hymning  your  everlasting  victories,  won 
By  arduous  labours,  and  the  better  choice. 

Now  love  and  unveiled  truth  doth  feed  for  aye, 
And  ye  drink  full  of  joy's  o'erflowing  wells, 

"Where  slakes  the  soul  her  thirst  that  cannot  die ; 
And  by  the  sacred  fountain  ever  dwells. 

From  inmost  shrines  from  whence   the   Godhead 
streams, 

The  King,  himself,  with  his  own  countenance, 
Shines  o'er  you,  and,  unsparing  of  his  beams, 

Fills  the  soul's  dwelling  with  his  radiance. 

From  out  the  golden  altar,  'neath  the  throne, 
Blood  of  the  Innocent  for  mercy  pleads ; 

Shed  in  the  cause  of  Him  who  sits  thereon. 
For  ever  sues  anew,  and  ever  bleeds. 

Mid  lightnings  numberless,  thro'  the  dim  vast 
Of  light,  the  adoring  elders  bow  them  down, 

To  Him,  whose  kingdom  shall  for  ever  last; 
And  each  before  him  casts  his  golden  crown. 

Nations  and  languages  of  countless  tongue. 
With  jubilant  palm,  and  robes  washed  white  in 
blood, 


160 


For  ever  sing  the  inexpressive  song — 
Him  the  thrice  holy,  and  the  only  Good. 

Glory  on  earth,  and  glory  be  above, 
To  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  ever  blest. 

Who  with  o'erflowing,  boundless  love, 

Saints  to  their  fulness  fill  with  perfect  rest.'^^ 

I  love  thy  kingdom,  Lord, 

The  house  of  thine  abode ; 
The  church  our  blest  Redeemer  saved 

With  his  own  precious  blood. 

I  love  thy  church,  0  God ! 

Her  walls  before  thee  stand, 
Dear  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye, 

And  graven  on  thy  hand. 

If  e'er  to  bless  thy  sons 

My  voice  or  hands  deny, 
These  hands  let  useful  skill  forsake, 

This  voice  in  silence  die. 

If  e'er  my  heart  forget 

Her  welfare  or  her  woe, 
Let  every  joy  this  heart  forsake, 

And  every  grief  o'erflow. 

For  her  my  tears  shall  fall ; 

For  her  my  prayers  ascend: 
To  her  my  cares  and  toils  be  given, 

'Till  toils  and  cares  shall  end. 

*  Ancient  Hymn. 


OF   MISSIONS.  161 

Beyond  my  highest  joy 

I  prize  her  heavenly  ways; 
Hei'  sweet  communion,  solemn  vows, 

Her  hymns  of  love  and  praise. 

Jesus,  thou  Friend  divine, 

Our  Saviour,  and  our  King, 
Thy  hand  from  every  snare  and  foe 

Shall  great  deliverance  bring. 

Sure  as  thy  truth  shall  last, 

To  Zion  shall  be  given 
The  brightest  glories  earth  can  yiel  l« 

And  brighter  bliss  of  heaven. 


THE    FIELD   OF   THE   WORLD. 
A  MORAVIAN  MISSIONARY  HTMN. 

High  on  his  everlasting  throne, 

The  King  of  saints  his  work  surveys; 
Marks  the  dear  souls  he  calls  his  own, 

And  smiles  on  that  peculiar  race. 
He  rests  well  pleased  their  toil  to  see, 

Beneath  his  easy  yoke  they  move, 
With  all  their  heart  and  strength  agree, 

In  the  sweet  labour  of  his  -love. 

His  eye  the  world  at  once  looks  throngh- 

A  vast,  uncultivated  field; 
Mountains  and  vales  in  ghastly  show, 

A  barren,  uncouth  prospect  yield. 


162  OBEDIENCE,  THE  LIFE 

Cleared  of  the  thorns  by  civil  care, 
A  few  less  hideous  wastes  are  seen  ; 

Yet  still  they  all  continue  bare, 
And  not  one  spot  of  earth  is  green. 

See  where  the  servants  of  their  God, 

A  busy  multitude  appear! 
For  Jesus  day  and  night  employed, 

His  husbandry  they  toil  to  clear. 
The  love  of  Christ  their  hearts  constrains, 

And  strengthens  their  unwearied  hands ; 
They  spend  their  blood,  and  sweat,  and  pains, 

To  cultivate  Emmanuel's  lands. 

Alarmed  at  their  successful  toil, 

Satan  and  his  wild  spirits  rage, 
They  labour  to  tear  up  and  spoil, 

And  blast  the  rising  heritage. 
In  every  wilderness  they  sow 

The  seed  of  death,  the  carnal  mind ; 
They  would  not  let  one  virtue  grow, 

Nor  leave  one  seed  of  good  behind. 

Yet  still  the  servants  of  the  Lord, 

Look  up  and  calmly  persevere; 
Supported  by  the  Master's  word. 

The  adverse  powers  they  scorn  to  fear. 
Gladly  their  happy  work  pursue ; 

The  labour  of  their  hands  is  seen. 
Their  hands  the  face  of  earth  renew ; 

Some  spots  at  least  are  lively  green. 


OF  MISSIONS.  163 

To  dig  the  ground  they  thus  bestow 

Their  lives,  from  every  softened  clod 
They  gather  out  the  stones,  and  sow 

The  immortal  seed,  the  word  of  God. 
They  water  it  with  tears  and  prayers, 

Then  long  for  the  returning  word ; 
Happy,  if  all  their  pains  and  cares. 

Can  bring  forth  fruit  to  please  the  Lord. 

Jesus  their  work  delighted  sees, 

Their  industry  vouchsafes  to  crown; 
He  kindly  gives  the  wished  increase. 

And  sends  the  promised  blessing  down. 
The  sap  of  life,  the  Spirit's  powers, 

He  rains  incessant  from  above; 
He  all  his  gracious  fulness  showers, 

To  perfect  their  great  work  of  love. 

0  multiply  thy  sower's  seed, 

And  fruit  we  every  hour  shall  bear; 
Throughout  the  world  thy  gospel  spread, 

Thy  everlasting  grace  declare  ; 
We  all  in  perfect  love  renewed. 

Shall  know  the  greatness  of  thy  power, 
Stand  in  the  temple  of  our  God, 

As  pillars,  and  go  out  no  more. 


164  OBEDIENCE,   THE   LIFE 


NOTE. 

A   THIRD   EXTRAORDINARY   FACT. 

In  addition  to  the  two  extraordinary  facts 
mentioned,  as  demonstrative  of  the  power 
and  efficiency  of  the  church  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  world,  a  third  may  be  added,  and 
that  is,  that  the  church  after  having  been 
established  by  miracles  and  inspired  teachers, 
has  held  on  her  way  until  the  present  time, 
under  the  operation  of  ordinary  causes,  and 
the  agency  of  uninspired,  and  often  weak, 
ignorant,  and  wicked  men, 

"  In  the  formation  of  any  society,  nothing 
is  more  likely  than  that  the  means  adopted 
for  its  first  establishment  should  be  also  the 
means  proposed  for  its  continuance  and  se- 
curity. Thus  the  same  institutions  by  which 
Lycurgus  or  Solon  each  established  a  com- 
munity of  that  description  which  best  pleased 
himself,  were,  by  them,  considered  as  the  most 
conducive  to  perpetuate  it  in  its  genuine 


OF  MISSIONS.  165 

purity.  This,  indeed,  will  be  mostly  the  case 
in  all  human  societies.  But  the  reverse  oc- 
curs in  the  history  of  the  church.  It  was 
established  by  miracles,  exhibiting  an  infinite 
variety  of  superhuman  power;  it  has  been 
perpetuated  without  any.  Its  very  rulers 
and  agents  (as  if  to  make  the  contrast  still 
more  striking)  have  not  remained  the  same. 
The  terms  apostle,  prophet,  interpreter,  &c. 
denote  offices  which  seem  to  have  been  de- 
signed only  for  the  formation  of  the  church ; 
and,  accordingly,  to  have  been  dropped  on 
its  complete  establishment.  Even  some  of 
the  customary  usages  of  Christianity  partook 
of  this  temporary  character;  and  these,  if 
preserved,  have  been  applied  by  the  purest 
churches  to  purposes  different  from  those 
which  they  originally  served." 

The  reason  for  this  apparent  abandonment 
of  Christianity  to  the  natural  operation  of 
its  own  principles,  and  system  of  laws,  offi- 
cers and  order,  is,  therefore,  a  still  further 
proof  of  its  inherent  efficacy  as  the  power  of 
God  to  the  conversion  of  the  world,  and  the 
salvation  of  souls. 
15 


166 

The  establishment  of  Christianity  was  a 
miraculous  revelation  and  institution  by  God 
of  all  the  truth  and  of  all  the  instrumentality 
necessary  for  the  fulfilment  of  his  decree, 
that  the  heathen  shall  be  converted.  And 
just  as  God,  having  created  the  universe  and 
established  its  order,  laws,  adaptations,  and 
relations,  withdrew  all  miraculous  interposi- 
tion, and  left  the  completed  work,  which  was 
all  very  good,  to  accomplish  its  purposes 
under  his  divine  providence;  so,  having  com- 
pleted the  revelation  of  the  truth,  and  the 
institutions  and  instrumentalities  of  the  gos- 
pel, all  further  superhuman  interference  by 
revelation  or  miraculous  agency  was  un- 
necessary, and  would  imply  imperfection. 
Their  withdrawal,  therefore,  is  the  assurance 
that  God's  work  was  finished,  and  all  very 
good,  and  that  his  church  and  gospel  are 
mighty  through  God  ;  and  that  their  present 
design  is,  as  the  angel  flying  in  mid-heaven, 
to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  to  every 
nation,  and  kindred,  and  tribe,  and  people. 

All  expectations,  therefore,  of  miraculous 
interposition  for  the  promulgation  and  tri- 


OF   MISSIONS.  167 

umph  of  the  gospel,  and  of  the  personal 
return  and  reign  of  Christ  in  earthly  glory, 
are  based  on  the  idea  of  the  present  insuffi- 
ciency, incompleteness,  and  powerlessness  of 
the  gospel  system,  and  are  a  plain  and  mani- 
fest denial  of  the  sufficiency  of  Scripture  to 
make  wise  unto  salvation;  of  the  adequacy 
of  the  gospel  as  the  power  and  the  wisdom 
of  God  for  the  salvation  of  all  that  believe ; 
of  the  fitness  of  the  church  to  be  both  the 
pillar  and  the  ground,  that  is,  the  preserver 
and  the  propagator  of  the  truth;  of  Christ's 
prophecy  that  the  gates  of  hell  should  not 
prevail  against  it;  and  of  Christ's  promised 
presence  and  power  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
The  volume  of  revelation  has  been  sealed 
and  closed.  Christ's  kingdom  is  come. 
Christ's  truth  is  perfect,  and  able  to  make 
wise  unto  salvation,  and  to  convey  the  gospel 
to  every  creature.  And  the  church  is  God's 
only  appointed  instrumentality,  first  for  pre- 
serving the  Scriptures;  secondly,  for  bear- 
ing witness  to  them ;  thirdly,  the  propaga- 
tion of  them;   and  lastly,  as  being   God's 


168  OBEDIENCE,    THE   LIFE 

ministry  for  the  reconciliation  and  salvation 
of  men. 

Grant  that  the  church  thus  left  has  been 
unfaithful,  cold,  wayward,  and  selfish,  and 
that  it  has  often  greatly  departed  from  its 
inspired  principles,  and  divine  precedents 
and  purposes,  for  worldly  and  ambitious  ends. 
This  does  not  affect  the  truth  or  efficacy  of 
either.  "  The  same  difficulty  meets  us  in  the 
history  of  the  progressive  corruption  of  the 
human  race;  in  the  backslidings  of  God's  cho- 
sen people,  the  Jews;  and  it  was  what  we  have 
reason  to  look  for  in  the  last  dispensation 
itself,  from  the  prophetic  warning  of  its  in- 
spired founders.  It  is  a  difficulty  which  re- 
solves itself  into  the  inexplicable  question 
concerning  the  existence  of  evil.  The  general 
corruption  of  the  Christian  world  at  any  past 
period,  ought  to  be  considered  rather  as  a 
presumption  that  the  church  is  assisted  by 
God ;  and  this  the  more  the  earlier  such  cor- 
ruption occurred,  and  for  this  obvious  reason. 
When  the  old  world  began  to  corrupt  reli- 
gion, we  know  that  they  plunged  deeper  and 
deeper  into  error,  in  every  age,  and  country, 


OF   MISSIONS.  169 

and  system  of  theology,  or  morals.  And  we 
see  plainly  that  if  left  to  themselves  the 
Jews  would  have  sunk  into  a  similar  total 
apostasy  and  corruption.  And  why  did  they 
not?  Because  God  continually  interposed,'^ 
And  what  then  but  a  corresponding,  though 
insensible,  divine  guardianship,  can  account 
for  the  revivals,  the  reformations,  the  purifi- 
cations, through  martyrdom  and  blood,  the 
ever  recurring  zeal  for  Christ  and  his  truth, 
the  self-denial,  devotedness,  and  missionary 
enterprise,  the  manly  liberality,  union,  and 
onward  progress,  which  are  now  manifesting 
their  power  in  every  part  of  the  earth  where 
evangelical  Christianity  exists? 

What  the  church  has  done  it  can  do,  and 
what  has  been  done  for  the  church  can  be 
and  will  be  done,  until  her  victory  is  com- 
plete, and  her  dominion  universal.  He  who 
is  with  her  is  greater  than  all  that  can  be 
against  her.  The  Lord  in  the  midst  of  her 
is  mighty. 

Nay,  Bride  of  Heayen!  thou  art  not  all  bereft, 
Though  this  world's  prince  against  thy  power  rebels ; 
By  thrones,  dominions,  wealth,  and  honours  left, 

15* 


170  THE  LIFE   OF  MISSIONS. 

Witliin  thee  still  the  Eternal  Spirit  dwells, 
Thy  pledged  possession.     Seek  nor  seer  nor  sign, 
True  Temple  of  that  Habitant  Divine. 
Thy  part  is  simple.     Fearless  still  proclaim 
The  Truth  to  men  who  loathe  her  very  name. 
Proclaim  that  He,  to  Paul  in  glory  shown, 
Even  from  that  glory  calls  thy  wrongs  his  own; 
And  if  thy  night  be  dark — if  tempests  roll, 
Dread  as  the  visions  of  thy  boding  soul. 
Still  in  thy  dimness,  watch,  and  fast,  and  pray, 
And  wait  the  bridegroom's  call — the  burst  of  open- 
ing day. 


THE   END. 


CHOICE    BOOKS 

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Calvin  and  his  Enemies.  A  Memoir  of  fhe 
Life,  Character  and  Principles  of  Calvin.  By 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Smyth,  D.D.  18mo.  pp.  280. 
Price  20  and  25  cents. 

This  is  a  new,  revised,  and  enlarged  edition  of  this 
excellent  work,  which  has  long  been  on  the  Cata- 
logue of  the  Board.  Dr.  Smyth  has  availed  himself 
of  new  sources  of  information  as  to  the  character  of 
Calvin,  not  accessible  until  within  a  few  years  past. 
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cause  of  truth  in  vindicating  the  character  of  one  of 
the  greatest  and  best  men  who  ever  lived,  from  the 
malignant  calumnies  of  those  who  hated  and  slan- 
dered him,  because  they  hated  the  truth  which  he  bo 
ably  defended. 

By  WHOM  IS  THE  World  to  be  Converted? 
or,  Christians  Christ's  Representatives  and 
Agents  for  the  Conversion  of  the  World.  By 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Smyth,  D.  D.  Published  by 
request  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina.  18mo. 
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Christians,  and  the  value  of  labour  for  Christ  in  its 
reflex  influence  on  the  individual  character. 

Faith,  the  Principle  of  Missions.  By  the 
Kev.  Thomas  Smyth,  D.  D.,  of  Charleston, 
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This  title  exhibits,  at  a  glance,  the  vast  import- 
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anty for  the  ability  and  practicalness  of  the  discus- 
sion. This  little  work  deserves  to  be  carefully 
perused  by  every  minister  of  the  gospel,  and,  indeed 
by  every  private  Christian  too. 

Lena  Leslie;  or,  The  History  of  an  Orphan. 
By  a  Lady  of  Kentucky.  18mo.  pp.  108. 
With  an  engraving.     Price  20  and  25  cents. 

This  is  a  tale  of  touching  interest,  and  can  hardly 
be  read  without  stirring  up  the  fountains  of  feeling 
within.    The  scene  is  in  the  South. 

The  Efficacy  of  Prayer.  By  the  Rev.  John 
C.  Young,  D.  D.,  late  President  of  Centre 
College,  Danville,  Kentucky.  18mo.  pp.  63. 
Price  15  cents. 

The  wide-spread  reputation  of  President  Young, 
his  recent  decease,  and  the  warm  affection  enter- 
tained by  multitudes  for  his  memory,  will  combine 
with  its  intrinsic  value  to  make  this  treatise  on  "The 
Efficacy  of  Prayer"  acceptable  to  the  whole  church. 


3 


The  Marrow  of  Modern  Divinity.  In  two 
Parts.  Part  I.  The  Covenant  of  Works,  and 
the  Covenant  of  G-race.  Part  II.  An  Exposi- 
tion of  the  Ten  Commandments.  By  Edward 
Fisher,  A.  M.  With  Notes,  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Boston,  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  Ettrick. 
12mo.  pp.  370.     Price  80  cents. 

This  is  an  old  book,  which  has  been  reproduced 
by  the  Presbyterian  Board.  It  is  a  thorough  dis- 
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minianism  on  the  other,  and  is  withal  eminently 
practical.  The  notes  of  Boston  are  a  valuable  addi- 
tion to  it,  illustrating  and  defending  the  views  of  the 
author. 

The  Stevenson  Family;  or,  Lessons  on  the 
Beatitudes.  Written  for  the  Board.  18mo. 
pp.  144.     Price  20  and  25  cents. 

These  are  familiar  fireside  conversations  on  a  very 
important  and  interesting  portion  of  divine  truth. 
Did  parents  more  generally  thus  fulfil  the  divine  in- 
junction, "Thou  shalt  talk  of  these  words  when 
thou  sittest  in  thine  house,"  how  much  more  fre- 
quent would  be  the  instances  of  intelligent  piety 
among  the  children  of  Christian  households ! 

Christ  in  the  Desert;  or,  The  Tempter  Foiled. 
By  the  Eev.  Henry  Moore  Parsons.  ISmo. 
pp.  129.     Price  20  and  25  cents. 

This  little  volume  contains,  as  its  title  indicates, 
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evangelical  in  spirit,  and  every  way  well  adapted 
both  to  enlighten  and  excite  pious  emotions  in  the 
reader.  The  theme  is  in  itself  deeply  interesting, 
and  it  is  handled  in  a  clear  and  convincing  manner. 
It  will  be  found  well  worthy  of  perusal. 

The  Sailor's  Companion  ;  or,  A  Book  of  De- 
votions for  Seamen  in  Public  and  Private. 
12mo.  pp.  263.    Price  50  cents. 

This  work  is  adapted  to  render  a  much-needed  aid 
to  pious  shipmasters  and  others  who  attempt  to  con- 
duct religious  services  at  sea.  It  contains,  1.  Two 
brief  forms  of  service  on  ship  board  on  the  Lord's 
day,  and  a  service  for  funerals.  2.  Eighteen  selec- 
tions of  Scripture  suitable  for  use  in  said  services. 
3.  Thirteen  short  practical  discourses  for  the  same 
purpose.  4.  A  second  part  for  more  private  uses, 
containing  a  scripture  answer  to  the  inquiry.  What 
is  religion?  brief  expositions,  prayers  for  various 
occasions,  and  friendly  advices  to  sailors. 

Talks  about  Jesus.  18mo.  pp.  67.  Price  15 
cents. 

A  good,  simple,  evangelical  book  for  children, 
setting  before  them  the  lovely  character  of  the  Sa- 
viour as  a  Pattern,  in  his  meekness,  obedience,  love, 
self-denial,  diligence,  readiness  to  forgive,  and  in 
his  life  of  prayer.  It  is  suited  to  the  capacity  of 
very  young  children. 


Scripture  Baptism,  its  Mode  and  Subjects. 
By  Ashbel  G.  Fairehild,  D.  D.  Author  of 
<'  The  Great  Supper.  18mo.  pp.  204.  Price 
25  and  30  cents. 

This  little  volume  contains  a  lucid,  forcible,  and 
popular  argument  on  both  branches  of  the  Baptist 
controversy.  Without  making  any  parade  of  learn- 
ing, the  fruits  of  ample  study,  as  well  as  of  careful 
thought,  are  brought  to  bear  upon  the  theme.  The 
book  will  make  itself  felt  wherever  works  of  this 
description  are  needed. 

The  Great  Reformer;  or,  Sketches  of  the 
Life  of  Luther.  By  the  author  of  ''The  Clare- 
mont  Tales.''  18mo.  pp.  117.  Price  20  and 
25  cents. 

This  little  volume  is  chiefly  drawn  from  D'Au" 
bign6's  History  of  the  Reformation.  It  is  a  very 
readable  and  instructive  outline  of  Luther's  life, 
and  is  well  adapted  to  attract  and  inform  juvenile 
readers.  It  is  designed  as  an  addition  to  the  Board's 
Sabbath-school  Library. 

Not  a  Minute  to  Spare.  By  S.  C.  18mo. 
pp.  104.     Price  15  and  20  cents. 

This  is  a  very  simple  but  useful  collection  of 
thoughts  and  incidents,  showing  how  we  may  and 
ought  to  have  many  minutes  to  spare  to  attend  to 
the  interests  of  our  own  souls,  and  to  work  for 
Jesus.    We  commend  it  to  those  who  are  so  ab- 


sorbed  in  worldly  things,  or  so  wrapped  up  in  their 
own  selfishness,  that  they  rob  God,  their  fellow-men, 
and  their  own  souls,  and  have  neither  time  nor  in- 
clination to  subserve  the  great  end  of  their  being. 

Pictures  of  Truth,  portrayed  in  Pleasing 
Colours.  18mo.  pp.  264.  Price  30  and  35 
cents.     With  engravings. 

Grains  of  Gtold,  suited  to  enrich  Youthful 
Minds.  18mo.  pp.  260.  Price  30  and  35 
cents.     With  engravings. 

These  two  books  are  compilations  made  for  the 
Board,  containing  some  of  the  choicest  narratives  to 
be  found  in  our  religious  periodical  literature.  They 
will  be  found  highly  attractive  to  the  young. 

Fanny,  the  Flower  Girl;  or,  Honesty  Re- 
warded. By  Selina  Bunbury.  18mo.  pp.  48. 
Price  15  cents. 

Ragged  Tommy;  or,  The  Boy  and  the  Bishop. 
18mo.  pp.  36.     Price  10  cents. 

These  are  valuable  additions  to  our  Sabbath-school 
literature,  exhibiting  in  attractive  narrative  the  value 
of  religion  to  the  young. 

Little  Bob  True,  the  Driver  Boy.  By  the 
author  of  "  Stories  on  the  Petitions  of  the 
Lord's  Prayer.'^  18mo.  pp.  252.  Price  30 
and  35  cents.     With  engravings. 

This  is  a  valuable  addition  to  the  Sabbath-school 
Library,  from  the  pen  of  a  lady  who  has  already 


made  valuable  contributions  to  this  class  of  religious 
literature.  It  is  the  history  of  a  canal  boy,  showing 
how  a  poor,  destitute  orphan  can  be  happy  himself, 
and  do  good  to  others  when  under  the  influence  of 
true  religion. 

The  Valley  of  Achor  ;  or,  Hope  in  Trouble, 
and, 

The  Cross  Providences  of  GtOD  ordered  in 
Wisdom  and  Love.  By  the  Kev.  S.  S. 
Sheddan.     18mo.  pp.  50.     Price  15  cents. 

These  treatises  will  be  found  well  adapted  to  ex- 
cite the  graces  of  faith,  submission,  hope,  and  love 
towards  God,  in  every  reader,  especially  in  those 
who  are  called  to  suffer  under  the  smitings  of  their 
Heavenly  Father's  hand. 

Bridget  Sullivan;  or,  The  Cup  without  a 
Handle.     18mo.  pp.  80.     Price  15  &  20  cents. 

This  is  a  story  of  Ireland,  in  the  days  of  famine 
and  of  the  workings  of  the  Bible.  It  is  interesting, 
and  will  be  a  welcome  book  in  the  Sabbath-school 
library. 

Only   Believe;    or,  The  Sure  Way  of  Peace. 

By  the  Rev.  Alfred  Hamilton,  D.  D.     18mo. 

pp.  50.     Price  15  cents. 

A  brief,  lucid,  and  scriptural  exhibition  of  just 
what  a  sinner  is  called  on  to  do  who  desires  to  se- 
cure his  peace  with  God.  It  is  prepared  by  a  pastor 
who  has  felt  the  need  of  such  a  little  tract  to  put 

16 


8 


into  the  hands  of  inquiring  souls.  If  pastors,  and 
laymen  too,  would  distribute  this  tract  widely,  it 
could  not  fail,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to 
lead  many  precious  souls  to  the  possession  of  peace 
in  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Highland  GtLEn;  or,  Plenty  and  Famine. 
Founded  on  Facts.  By  Matilda  Wrench. 
18mo.  pp.  54.     Price  15  cents. 

A  story  of  thrilling  interest,  showing  how  faith 
can  sustain  the  soul,  even  under  such  fearful  priva- 
tions and  sufferings  as  those  which  attended  the 
famine  of  1847,  in  the  Western  Highlands  of  Argyle- 
shire,  in  Scotland.  It  is  well  adapted  to  excite  a 
feeling  of  compassion  for  the  needy,  and  lead  to  the 
exercise  of  self-denial  for  their  relief. 

The  Model  Merchant;  or,  Memoirs  of  Samuel 
Budgett.     12mo.  pp.  187.     Price  40  cents. 

We  can  cordially  commend  this  Memoir  of  a  most 
remarkable  man  to  all  our  readers,  and  especially  to 
those  who  are  engaged  in  business.  They  will  learn 
the  secret  of  Mr.  Budgett's  rapid  rise  from  compara- 
tive poverty  to  great  wealth ;  and  they  will  also  see 
how  a  business  man  can  and  ought  to  carry  his 
Christianity  always  with  him,  and  exert  an  influ- 
ence for  good  on  all  who  come  within  the  sphere  of 
his  influence.  It  has  been  abridged  for  the  Board, 
by  Mrs.  S.  A.  Myers,  from  the  original  Memoir  by 
the  Rev.  William  Arthur. 


How  TO  Die  Happy.  Written  for  the  Board  of 
Publication.  By  the  author  of  "Learn  to 
say  No/'  and  '<  Scenes  in  Chusan.-"  18mo. 
pp.  101.     Price  15  and  20  cents. 

This  little  book,  although  written  in  a  sprightly 
and  most  attractive  style,  treats  of  one  of  the  most 
solemn  and  important  topics  which  can  engage  the 
attention  of  any  reader.  It  was  prepared  with  spe- 
cial reference  to  the  young,  but  it  has  much  that  is 
full  of  good  for  the  sick  bed  and  the  dying  hour  of 
any  person.  It  is  illustrated  by  several  instances 
of  holy  living  and  triumphant  dying  in  the  faith  and 
hope  of  the  gospel. 

Pride;  or,  Six  Months  at  my  Uncle's  in  New 
England.  18mo.  pp.  80.  Price  15  and  20 
cents. 

An  excellent  book  for  the  young;  exhibiting  the 
pains,  the  hatefulness,  and  the  cure  of  pride.  The 
narrative  is  interesting,  and  the  style  pleasing.  It 
is  worthy  to  be  placed  in  every  family,  and  in  every 
Sabbath-school. 

The  Divine  Life  :  A  book  of  facts  and  histo- 
ries. By  the  Rev.  John  Kennedy,  M.  A., 
F.  R.  G.  S.     12mo.  pp.  384.     Price  65  cents. 

This  book  will  be  a  valuable  contribution  to  the 
religious  literature  of  the  church  and  of  the  times. 
It  will  speak  to  the  heart  of  God's  people  as  long  as 
there  is  a  true  church  on  earth.  Its  principal  topics 
are — the  nature,  origination,  providential  occasions, 


10 


and  true  means  of  the  Divine  Life.  It  will  be  found 
rich  in  important  suggestions  to  the  believer.  Each 
chapter  is  both  illustrated  and  fortified  with  choice 
incidents  from  the  lives  of  many  eminent  saints. 
No  Christian  will  peruse  it  without  intense  in- 
terest, and  no  one  should  rise  from  its  perusal  with- 
out being  wiser  and  better  than  before. 

Sketches  for  You.  By  S.  S.  Egliseau,  author 
of  "Lizzie  Ferguson,"  "Gleanings  from  Real 
Life,'^  and  "Lucy  Dunlevy."  Square  16mo, 
pp.  232.     Price  30  and  35  cents. 

■  This  is  another  delightful  little  volume  from  a  pen 
which  has  before  delighted  the  juvenile  readers  of 
the  Board's  books.  In  a  collection  of  twenty-four 
well-told  stories,  a  very  neat  and  pleasant  book  is 
here  provided.  Each  has  a  good  moral,  and  the 
reading  of  such  works  will  go  far  towards  fostering 
the  spirit  of  reading  in  the  minds  of  the  young  in 
our  day.  It  is  a  good  Sabbath-school  and  family 
book. 

Ye  Will  Not  Come;  or,  The  Sinner  without 
Excuse.  "Written  for  the  Board.  By  a  Dis- 
abled Minister  of  Bethel.  18mo.  pp.  36.  Price 
10  cents. 

As  the  title  indicates,  this  is  an  attempt  to  reach, 
by  the  press,  those  whom  the  author  can  no  longer 
address  from  the  pulpit,  and  to  convince  delaying 
sinners  that  if  they  do  not  come  to  Christ,  the  fault 
is  their  own.  It  is  an  earnest,  pungent,  but  affec- 
tionate appeal. 


Princeton 


Theological  ,Seminar|r,,Ljbra^ 

1  ! 


"To"  2  01234  0289 


DATE  DUE 


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GAYLORD 


